NEWKEY EVALUATION GUIDE A Keyboard Enhancer for The IBM Personal Computer Version 5.0 (C)Copyright Frank A. Bell, 1984-1988 All rights reserved. Frank Bell Compuserve id 75206,1366 FAB Software P.O. Box 336 Wayland, MA 01778 COPYRIGHT Copyright (C) 1984-1988 by Frank A. Bell. All rights reserved. The special full-power evaluation Newkey 5.0 programs may be copied subject to the restrictions listed in 'Permission to Copy'. This documentation is designed to accompany the Newkey evaluation disk and does not fully document Newkey and its features. The latest version of Newkey, a printed manual, plus other benefits come with Newkey when ordered. For further information refer to the section on registration later in this documentation. If any portion of the evaluation disk is missing, a complete evaluation disk is available for $10. Use the order form at the end of this documentation. Please do not send disks. TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWKEY INTRODUCTION.......................................... 1 PRINTING THE NEWKEY MANUAL................................... 3 TAKING A GUIDED TOUR OF NEWKEY............................... 3 THE USER-SUPPORTED CONCEPT................................... 3 USER-SUPPORTED SOFTWARE AND DISK VENDORS..................... 5 RESTRICTED PERMISSION TO COPY................................ 5 FILES ON THE NEWKEY DISK..................................... 6 LIMITED WARRANTY............................................. 7 REGISTRATION................................................. 8 ORDER FORM................................................... 9 NEWKEY INTRODUCTION We believe that at $43.00, $20 - $250 below comparable commercial programs, Newkey is one of the great bargains on the market today. How many high quality, useful software programs can be purchased for $43? We hope that after you have had a chance to try out Newkey for yourself you agree and decide to become a reqistered user. PURPOSE The Newkey keyboard enhancer simplifies the entry of common keystroke sequences by allowing these sequences to be assigned to any key desired. Once assigned to a particular key, whenever that key is struck the predefined sequence of keystrokes will be returned in place of the struck key. For example, the alt c key might be defined as 'copy' and whenever alt c is struck the string 'copy' will be returned. Newkey allows customization of software packages, ready creation of boiler plate passages, help menus, keyboard redefinition, cursor speed up, screen blanker, extended keyboard buffer, and other useful purposes. Several sample key definition files are included with Newkey and will be described later. Newkey 5.0 provides many features including: - Ability to define almost any key - Menu macros - Display macros - Fixed length pauses during key translation - Nested key translation - Translation bypass for native entry of defined key - Dynamic display of the macro directory - Dynamic display of macros - Full featured macro editor - Easily change any macro - Copy/Move one macro to another - Move keyboard buffer into macro - Load, merge and save macro files from within other applications - Shorthand mode, Newkey watches your keystrokes and when they match a macro name, automatically plays back the macro. No special hot key to enter, no wasted keystrokes. - Date/time macro function, define your own date & time templates and let Newkey fill them in for you - Fast key option allows fast cursor movement and key repetition - Use Newkey's pop-up features in graphics mode - Compatible with new IBM's new 'enhanced keyboard' - Guard macros from accidental deletion - Inactivate macros - Save/load file overwrite warning messages - Disk wait during macro playback - Screen on/off macro function - Enhanced compatibility with other programs - Suppress Newkey created keycodes which collide with other program - Keyboard click - Beep during macro definition - Cursor change during macro definition/playback made optional - Customize Newkey's menu colors - Screen blanker works with EGA - Dynamic modification of the control keys - Dynamic clear macros from memory - User defined dynamic define area length - Time delay pauses during key translation - Toggle Newkey on/off - Slow typing mode - Cancel Newkey processing at any time during playback or definition - Macro may call itself - Screen saver feature to blank screen after period of inactivity - Ability to define a macro within a macro - Multi-character macro names - Improved screen saver that works with most hardware and software - Macro descriptions - 128 keystroke typeahead buffer - Speed up keyboard repetition rate - Improved macro definition facilities, including - Defining status line - Macro already defined warning message - Defining alphabetic character warning message - Display/execute macro commands from menus as well as from control keys - Macro definition window - Call Newkey from its own macros - Cut & paste - Support for DOS 2.0 path names - and many more Newkeysp 5.0, the Newkey support program, provides many functions including: - Saving macros to disk from memory - Loading macros from disk to memory - Merging macros from disk to memory - Directory display of keys with translations - Individual display of key translations - Easy modification of Newkey control keys - Clear macros from memory - Toggle Newkey on/off - Execute macros from a batch file - Unload and reclaim memory under DOS 2.0 - Be called from Newkey macros - Display macros and their descriptions PRINTING THE NEWKEY MANUAL If you wish you may print the full Newkey manual (assuming it's on your disk, which it may not be) by issuing the following command: copy newkey.man lpt1 The manual is about 100 pages long. TAKING A GUIDED TOUR OF NEWKEY The guided tour demonstrates many of Newkey 5.0's major features and uses Newkey macros extensively. To start the guided tour type 'demo' at the DOS command prompt and press enter. The demo will load Newkey, load the demo.key macro file, and start the tour. THE USER-SUPPORTED CONCEPT User-supported Software User-supported software (also known as "shareware") is an experiment in distributing computer programs based on these beliefs: 1. That the value and utility of software is best assessed by the user on his/her own system. 2. That the creation of personal computer software can and should be supported by the computing community. 3. That copying of programs should be encouraged, rather than restricted. Anyone may legally obtain an evaluation copy of the program from a friend or computer club. After you have had a chance to use and evaluate the program in your own environment, you are trusted to either forward a payment to FAB Software or to discontinue use of the program. Free distribution of software eliminates costs for advertising and copy protection schemes. Users obtain quality software at greatly reduced cost. They can try it out before buying, and do so at their own pace and in the comfort of their own home or office. The best programs will survive, based purely on their quality and usefulness. USER-SUPPORTED SOFTWARE AND DISK VENDORS With an acknowledgement to Eric Isaacson, author of A86, on whose documentation this next question and answer is based, we offer this to those of you who have purchased Newkey from a disk vendor. QUESTION: "I bought this macro processor from XYZ software House, that advertised great software for $5 per disk. What's going on here? Have I already bought a macro processor, or what?" ANSWER: Well, no, not exactly. You've bought a disk that has great software on it; you haven't bought the software yet. Newkey, like the vast majority of software offered by the $5 per disk distribution houses, is free-distribution software, also known as "shareware", or "user-supported software". That means I retain the right to Newkey, but I choose to let people pass it around. I have no business relationship with any distribution houses. I don't get a penny of the $5 (or whatever) you paid them for the disk containing Newkey. So I need and expect to be paid by you, because I'm trying to make a living out of making and supporting shareware products. Many distribution houses do a poor job of revealing the shareware nature of the software they sell. If you thought you had purchased the software free and clear, you might feel justified in being angry with them for having misled you. And you might look around for houses that do a better job of informing the public. But I hope you'll take the time to consider everybody's role in the shareware marketing scheme. If you do, I think you'll conclude that although you may have been misled, you haven't really been cheated out of anything. Shareware is great for authors like me who haven't got the resources to run expensive ad campaigns. We simply cast our programs to the winds. They are distributed at pracically no cost to us. That's why we can charge a lot less than the cost of "commercial" software. Shareware is also great for customers like you. You can try out the software before paying for it. You'll know that a successful shareware product is good, because only satisfied customers pay for it. The existence of shareware infuses healthy competition in the entire software market, for both price and quality. Finally, let's consider the distribution houses. They provide a legitimate service, for which they charge a reasonable price. The best houses act as librarians, evaluating and cataloguing software. Most pay thousands of dollars for advertising. Their cut is far less than the distributor's cut for "commercial" software (they prosper because their volume is bigger). Most customers for the distribution houses are repeat customers, who are aware of, and happy with, what they are getting. If it weren't for your XYZ House, you might never have heard of Newkey, or might never have figured out where to obtain it. So I hope you'll be happy with shareware, and actively desire to support it. You'll feel good about promoting a healthy situation for everybody. And you'll encourage the best programmers in the world to keep writing for you, instead of for the big corporations. RESTRICTED PERMISSION TO COPY With the release of version 5.0 we are providing a special full-power evaluation copy of Newkey which may be copied subject to the restrictions listed below. The only difference between the evaluation version and the version available to registered users is a special "evaluation notice" screen that is displayed when Newkey or Newkeysp is first started up. What May be Copied All files on the Newkey disk may be copied except for the regular versions of "NEWKEY.EXE", "NEWKEYSP.EXE", and "NEWKEYSM.EXE" which are reserved for registered users. These versions may only be used by our registered users and may not be copied or shared. If you are evaluating Newkey then these versions should not be on your disk. If an "evaluation notice" screen is displayed and you have to press a key to continue when you first use these programs, then you are using the shareware versions. Rules For Copying Evaluation Version Individuals are granted permission to freely copy the Newkey disk for their own evaluation or for others to evaluate, so long as no price or other consideration is charged. Computer clubs and other non-profit organizations are granted permission to freely copy the Newkey disk and share it with their members for the purposes of evaluation, so long as: 1. No price or other consideration is charged. However, a distribution cost may be charged for the cost of the diskette, so long as it is not more than US $10 total. This includes shipping, handling, and all other charges. 2. Club members who receive the programs are informed in writing of the user-supported concept and encouraged to support it with their payments. 3. The programs and documentation are not modified in any way and are distributed together. 4. The Newkey disk may not be packaged together with any other programs or materials. It may not be bundled and sold as part of some other more inclusive package. 5. The programs may not be "rented" to others. 6. The printed manual is not copied or reproduced in any way. Companies, schools, universities, government, and other organizations are granted permission to copy the Newkey programs for use on other computers and at other locations in the company, so long as: 1. The full registration fee of $43 has been paid for each and every system on which the program will be used. 2. The printed manual is not copied or reproduced in any way. Corporate licenses and volume discounts are available upon request. FILES ON THE NEWKEY DISK The following files should be on the Newkey evaluation disk. If any are missing on the copy you have, a complete evaluation copy may be obtained from FAB Software for $10. Use the order form at the end of this documentation. Please do not send disks. DEMO.BAT - This is a batch file which will give you a demonstration of Newkey. It requires 192k of memory. DEMO.KEY - Key definition file containing Newkey tour. DVORAK.KEY - Key definition file to redefine keyboard under Dvorak layout. EXAMPLE.BAT - Examples of NEWKEYSP usage. EXAMPLE.KEY - Examples of newkey macros. MAKEEVAL.BAT - This batch file will build an evaluation disk from a registered users Newkey disk. NEWKEY.DOC - Documentation which will introduce unregistered users to Newkey. To print it, "copy Newkey.doc lpt1". NEWKEY.EXE - This is the program which actually replaces IBM's keyboard interrupts (x'9' and x'16'). This program remains resident while other programs execute and unless called upon to translate will be transparent. NEWKEY.EVA - If this is present, rename it to NEWKEY.EXE. NEWKEY.MAN - This is the complete Newkey manual. It is approximately 100 pages long and may be printed by issuing the following command: copy newkey.man lpt1 *** NOTE, due to space considerations, the manual is not on the disk registered user's receive, thus it may not be on your disk if you received it from a registered user. NEWKEYSM.EVA - If this is present rename it to NEWKEYSM.EXE NEWKEYSM.EXE - This is the small version of Newkey.exe. It is identical to the regular version, except that it lacks the pop-up features and takes about 25K less memory. *** NOTE, due to space considerations this version may not be on your distribution disk. It is supported and will be on the disk you receive when you register. NEWKEYSP.EVA - If this is present rename it to NEWKEYSP.EXE. NEWKEYSP.EXE - This program provides several functions necessary to effectively use Newkey. NEWKEYVS.EVA - If this is present rename it to NEWKEYVS.EXE. NEWKEYVS.EXE - This is the very small version of Newkey.exe. It is identical to the regular version, except that it lacks the pop-up features and several other features. It takes substantially less memory. *** NOTE, due to space considerations this version may not be on your distribution disk. It is supported and will be on the disk you receive when you register. ORDER.FRM - Order form. README - Latest information on Newkey LIMITED WARRANTY These programs are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The entire risk as to the quality and performance fo the program is with you. Should the program prove defective, you (and not FAB Software or its dealers) assume the entire cost of all necessary servicing, repair or correction. In no event will the FAB Software be liable to you for any damages, including any lost profits, lost savings or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of or inability to use these programs, even if the FAB Software has been advised of the possibility of such damages, or for any claim by any other party. REGISTRATION To register as an official Newkey user complete the order form on the next page and send to FAB Software. As a registered user you will receive - The latest version of Newkey - A version which does not display the evaluation notice screen. - A printed manual (92 pages, tips on use, index) - Telephone and written support - Notification of new versions If not completely satisfied, return Newkey within 30 days for a full refund. ORDER FORM FAB Software FED ID# 04-2861400 P.O. Box 336 (508) 358-6357 Wayland, MA 01778 --------------------------------------------------------------- PRICE PRICE PRODUCT QTY EACH EXTENDED ----------------------------- --- ----- -------- Newkey 5.0 Quantity 1 to 4 ___ $43.00 $_______ Quantity 5 to 9 ___ $34.40 $_______ Quantity 10 to 49 ___ $32.25 $_______ Quantity 50 to 99 ___ $30.10 $_______ Quantity 100+ ___ $27.95 $_______ Newkey Evaluation disk ___ $10.00 $_______ Purchase Order (whenever invoice $6.00 $_______ required) Foreign orders, except Canada, add(*) $6.00 $_______ SUBTOTAL $_______ Massachusetts sales tax (5%) $_______ (for orders shipped to Mass. addresses only) TOTAL $_______ Name: _________________________________Phone:________________ Address:_____________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: ___________________________________________ Where did you learn about Newkey?____________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Visa [ ] MasterCard [ ] Check [ ] (U. S. funds) Card# ______________________________________ Expiration Date ____________________________ Signature __________________________________ I understand that if I am not completely satisfied, I may return Newkey within 30 days for a refund of the purchase price. Prices subject to change without notice. * Foreign orders paid by check must be in US $ and drawn through a US bank or through the US branch of a foreign bank.