CompuServe Thread

#ProText

53 messages in this thread
#124052From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 6, 1993 4:58 AM
Daniel, Sorry I didn't post anything about ProText before. I had V5.5 and was waiting for V6.0, which I just received. Remember though that ProText is not a graphics word processor. It's text-based, but in 6.0 it allows for importing graphics. The graphics will print, but they don't appear on the screen. I'll keep you posted. Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–
#124353From: Nancy PriceDec 8, 1993 5:25 PM
Daniel I have been using PROTEXT for quite a few years it is a superb program. Here in the UK it is considered one of the best Amiga WP programs around. I have just taken delivery of the latest upgrade Protext 6. It has a lot of new features including Graphic Import. If any PROTEXT users in the US have any queries they would like to address to Arnor, they can put up a message with their questions here, I`ll get an answer for them and upload it into this Forum. Nancy
#124443From: Karl F. KugelDec 9, 1993 2:37 AM
Nancy, perhaps you know. Does Protext support tables, and does it allow you to position them wherever you like on the page? // -Karl \X/ Amiga and Autopilot: The *only* way to fly!
#124829From: Nancy PriceDec 12, 1993 7:56 AM
Hi Karl.. I have used tables and calculated expressions with Protext now and again. I don't know whether I do this correctly, but it seems to work. Maybe Dom can give you more info. Nancy
#124968From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 13, 1993 10:55 AM
Nancy, > Maybe Dom can give you more info. That's funny. I wasn't sure what Karl meant about tables, so that's why he asked you. 😎 He had said something like if I didn't know what he meant by tables, then Protext probably didn't have them. I would have preferred that he explain what he meant, since maybe Protext utilizes them, but under a different name. I do know that Protext has very extensive calculated expression features. Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–
#124999From: Nancy PriceDec 13, 1993 3:21 PM
Dom.. >That`s funny. I wasn`t sure what Karl meant about tables To me tables are columns of figures written in a certain order, which can be laid out in Protext. But I could be wrong! (It wouldn`t be the first time.) Nancy
#125066From: Karl F. KugelDec 14, 1993 2:34 AM
To Nancy and Dom: O.K. I *will* have to define a "Table" won't I? Here goes: A table is a grid-based text and line object, defined independently from the rest of the document. Sort of like a small bit of a spreadsheet in your document. Normally the table can have both borders and internal divisions. It is *exactly* what you get in a printed document when referred to "table 2b". For example, in Microsoft Word I had a very fancy signature block defined in the first page footer as a "table", with a date object which automatically updated when you printed the document. There are lots of things you can do with tables. You can tell if Protext has them quite easily, there will be a command to "create table" and a reference to tables in the index. Really, this is a fairly common feature in high end word processors. Does Protext do anything like that? // -Karl \X/ Amiga and Autopilot: The *only* way to fly!
#125267From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 16, 1993 3:18 AM
Karl, No, Protext doesn't have tables. It just has Box Mode. That lets you mark any non-contiguous area of text as a block, which you can then use in all the standard block operations. It also allows you to have up to, I believe, 24 independently defined columns with their own margins and fonts. Tables are something that will have to go on the wish list. Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–
#125272From: Karl F. KugelDec 16, 1993 5:18 AM
Ah, thanks Dom. I guess I'll be waiting for 7.0. <G> // -Karl \X/ Amiga and Autopilot: The *only* way to fly!
#126383From: jeff kisseloffDec 29, 1993 10:17 AM
Dom Fontana, I've picked up this thread in the middle, so forgive me for asking. What can you tell me about Pro Text insofar as it being a replacement for Wordperfect? I'm finishing up my second book using Wordperfect, and while I don't require any real support from them, I'm nervous that if some real emergency did occur there would be no help at all, since they now refuse to help us Amigaites. The graphics oriented word processors don't interest me, and I was terribly disappointed with Final Writer, which lacks too many features to be useful for me. (No default document path, no undelete and no word search in its list files screen to name a few). What gives with ProText? Can I write to the company for literature on its features? Exactly how does it stack up against Word Perfect? If it doesn't convert Wordperfect, could I import Wordperfect files into Final Writer or Final Copy and then import it to Pro Text? Also, who carries Pro Text here in the States? Jeff Kisseloff – via Whap!
#126384From: Dale LarsonDec 29, 1993 11:29 AM
FinalWriter does have a default document path (it's one of the icon's tooltypes). It is rude that it doesn't have undo and that it refuses to use the ASL filerequester (which allows you to filter displayed filenames — or did you mean words contained in the files?), but I can't see these as crippling features. WP started being flaky with OS 2.04, they at least mostly fixed that. With AmigaOS 3.x, it got worse to the point that I only tried it once (so I don't remember what was wrong). — Dale L. Larson, Intangible Assets Manufacturing — INTERNET:dale@iam.com
#126402From: jeff kisseloffDec 29, 1993 4:53 PM
Dale, Actually, for someone who lives and dies with cut and paste, npot having an undelete feature is crippling. Unfortunately, I use it a lot on WordPerfect, because I am unfortunately not word perfect. The file requester is also vital for word searches, especially since my work consists of knitting together some 400 interviews. I also can't seem to get a comfortable screen font and size on Final Writer. Everything is either too squeezed or too small (even though I've played around with the width function. Wordperfect is just a lot easier, and since I'm still on 2.0 it is still adequate. The one area for concern is print flexibility, which is why I turned to Final Writer, but it's text functions simply don't compare with what I get from Word perfect. Jeff – via Whap!
#126400From: daniel stripesDec 29, 1993 4:00 PM
Mark Tilley @ Arnor Ltd, the UK distributors of ProText, has sent a demo copy of ProText 6 to me via smail, although I have not received it yet. This was in response to an inquiry I sent to his internet address via CIS. Mark also indicated that there is no distributor for ProText 6 here in the US. His internet address is "mtilley@cix.compulink.co.uk" (without the quotes). Since there seems to be so much interest, I will contact Mark and find out if it's okay for me to upload a DMS'd copy of the ProText 6 demo here when I receive it. // daniel on autopilot in paradise \X/ powered by intel and motorola
#126403From: jeff kisseloffDec 29, 1993 4:54 PM
Daniel, Thanks, please let us know. Jeff – via Whap!
#126471From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 30, 1993 7:32 AM
Jeff, I may be writing a magazine review on ProText, so I've answered you via EMail. Happy New Year! Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–
#125261From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 16, 1993 2:15 AM
Nancy, > To me tables are columns of figures written in a certain order, which can be laid out in Protext. If that's what he meant, then Protext can certainly handle that. BTW, you certainly look "colourful" today. Now here's a question for you. In America, when we put something in parentheses (such as this), we say that we have referred to it "parenthetically." Since you call them brackets, what is your equivalent phrase for "parenthetically," or do you even have one? Oh, I have to go now and take a "lift" to my "flat." (Sorry, but I couldn't resist. 8-)) Parenthetically speaking, that is. Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–
#125325From: Nancy PriceDec 16, 1993 5:23 PM
Dom, Karl, I believe, is talking of an actual Table option which Protext doesn't have 🙁 "Parenthetically" what a dreadful word – I don't know what Eric Partridge who wrote Usage and Abusage (of the English language) would make of that. I must look it up!!! We don't have anything equivalent, we just say "open bracket ….close bracket". <smile> Nancy
#125422From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 17, 1993 11:57 PM
Nancy, > We don't have anything equivalent, we just say "open bracket ….close bracket". <smile> Oh, I thought maybe you said, bractically! 😎 Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–
#125429From: Don Curtis/SYSOPDec 18, 1993 1:27 AM
Nancy, In Americanized English, the word "parenthetically" means "as an aside". SIt's generaly used in the spoken language to mean something that if written down, would normaly have been put in parenthesis. It's a word that's not in common usage, but I do hear it now and then. Don
#125484From: Nancy PriceDec 18, 1993 5:55 PM
Don, > In Americanized English, the word "parenthetically" means "as an aside". It is a strange word to me, I can't even pronounce it ;>) but the word parenthesis is used now and again. Nancy
#125508From: Betty Clay/SYSOPDec 19, 1993 12:45 AM
Parenthetically – Pair-in-thet'-ik-lee My English friends are forever changing my spelling (I write for a computer club journal over there), and I try very hard to teach them to speak Texan, but they try just as hard to teach me English English. —Betty
#125526From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 19, 1993 4:26 AM
Don, > It's a word that's not in common usage, but I do hear it now and then. Hi! Why do you say that "parenthetically" is not in common usage? Are you sure you meant to say "common usage" or did you mean to say that you don't hear it used that much? There is a difference. A word that is "not in common usage" is generally antiquated, obsolete, and not recognized by the dictionary as a proper form of the word. Many "Olde English" words fall into this category. However, the word "parenthetically" is in common usage, even if you don't hear it used that often. 😎 Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–
#125614From: Don Curtis/SYSOPDec 20, 1993 1:30 AM
Dom, Well..technically you're correct, and yes, I meant, "not used very often." Don
#124982From: Karl F. KugelDec 13, 1993 1:31 PM
Ah, that's what I wanted to know. I guess I'll have to give Protext a look. Thanks. P.S. How is the text display in Protext? Is it one of those spidery WYSIWYG displays (a la Final Copy or Final Writer) or something more readable? // -Karl \X/ Amiga and Autopilot: The *only* way to fly!
#125000From: Nancy PriceDec 13, 1993 3:21 PM
Protext doesn`t have WYSIWYG as such. I asked them about it when they were preparing Protext6. They said that most of their users would rather have the speed than this option. (Don`t ask me to explain..please!!!) Nancy
#125065From: Karl F. KugelDec 14, 1993 2:34 AM
Great! That's just what I want. Thanks for all your help! // -Karl \X/ Amiga and Autopilot: The *only* way to fly!
#125268From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 16, 1993 3:18 AM
Karl, Protext is not really WYSIWYG at all. It only displays bold, underline, and italics on the screen, but it is fast. Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–
#124450From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 9, 1993 3:44 AM
Nancy, > If any PROTEXT users in the US have any queries they would like to address to Arnor, they can put up a message with their questions here, I`ll get an answer for them and upload it into this Forum. Thanks. That's very nice of you. (BTW, my name is Dominick; not Daniel. 8-)) Actually, I don't think there are that many people here who use ProText. I was sort of the guinea pig. I was looking for a replacement for WordPerfect and none of the Amiga word processors I looked at could even hold a candle to WP's features. I heard about ProText and bought it when it was at version 5.5. I got ProText 6 last week. I still think they need to tweak the interface a bit more, but other than that, it's an outstanding program. I've been speaking to Michael Yates at Arnor and he's been very helpful. However, I got carried away last month and spoke to him for over half an hour during the day, and the phone bill for just that one call was over $32! That is obviously unacceptable. (I'm calling from New York). Now, I usually fax him questions or keep my calls to about a minute or two. Next time I'll leave my questions for you and thanks for offering to forward them. I've been trying to convince Arnor to get a Vendor Slot here, which would solve a lot of their U.S. support problems. I think the improvements they made in 6 are very nice. Besides the Graphics Import, the Glossary, Macro/Glossary Editors, and Document Settings were welcome additions. How do you like it? Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–
#124734From: Jeff WalkerDec 11, 1993 10:25 AM
Dominick, you can Email Arnor from CIS. One of the bosses is active on CIX in the UK… mtilley@cix.compulink.co.uk I'm not exactly sure how you do it, but several CIS users have emailed me on CIX, so I know it can be done. Jeff Walker – Just Amiga Monthly
#124826From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 12, 1993 6:36 AM
Jeff, Thanks for the CIX info. I just got that same info from Michael Yates at Arnor and was about to ask how to use their CIX address through CIS. Does anyone know how to use a CIX address through CIS? Thanks. Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–
#124842From: Steve Bennett/SYSOPDec 12, 1993 9:02 AM
Dom, Open up your AP Address Book from the main screen, Enter the recipients name in the NAME requestor, and then put his address in the INTERNET requestor: mtilley@cix.compulink.co.uk Save the book. Click on INTERNET and the editor will pop up where you can now write or import your text. Click on save and the address book will show you only those book entries with INTERNET addresses.
#124953From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 13, 1993 8:56 AM
Michael, Great! Thanks for the explanation about using a CIX address. Now, when he writes back to me, I'll receive his message as CMail, right? Is there any info I need to give the CIX recipient so he'll know how to reach me here? Also, will my AP Tag be appended to the CIX message I send? Thanks. Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–
#124992From: Steve Bennett/SYSOPDec 13, 1993 3:07 PM
When the recipient gets your EMail it will contain a return address… but just so you know, your Internet address follows the format: <1stpartCISuserID#>.<2ndPartCISuserID#>@compuserve.com so, your internet address would be: 74766.2154@compuserve.com note that in your CIS ID you must replace the comma delimiter with a period When you receive a response in AP from the person you sent a message to, you will be able to REPLY to it from the AP reader. Yes, your AP CMail tag will be appended, if you have one setup.
#124967From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 13, 1993 10:55 AM
Michael, I tried sending the CIX message exactly as you suggested, but it didn't work. It was listed as a Pending CMail action, but when AP tried to send it, CIS replied with something like, "Arnor Ltd. is not a valid address. Edit address or press CR to delete." Originally, the first line of my message said, "To: Arnor Ltd." I then indented that line in my message and then deleted it altogether, but I still got the above message when AP tried to send it. Any suggestions on how to cure the problem? Thanks. Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–
#124993From: Steve Bennett/SYSOPDec 13, 1993 3:07 PM
I just entered that address (mtilley@cix.compulink.co.uk) in the internet requestor of my AP phonebook with the name Arnor Ltd, saved the book, clicked on INTERNET, composed a message, clicked on SAVE, selected Arnor Ltd from the address book, and had AP send it… CIS accepted the mail in the expected manner. If it can't be delivered, CIS will return it to me advising that it was unsuccessful. However, AP is working as it should. You are doing something incorrectly… please read the appropriate section of the APDOCS: Internet: When you receive a message from someone on the Internet in your mailbox, byou can reply with the regular Cmail editor and your reply will automatically go to the sender of the message to which you are replying. If you wish to originate an Internet message, however, you need to do it from the main screen using the INTERNET button – not the Cmail Messages one. To originate an Internet message to someone whose name is in your address book: 1) Click on the Internet gadget on the main screen. The message editor opens, just as it would for any message you originage. 2) Either type your message or import the text you wish to send, just as for any other message. 3) Click on SAVE. At this point, your address book will come up. Click on the name of the person who is to receive the message. The name and address will be automatically filled in for you. 4) Type in the subject or title of the message 5) Click on SAVE. To originate an Internet message to someone whose name is NOT in your address book, but you know their Internet address: 1) Repeat steps 1 and 2 above, and click on SAVE. 2) Type in the recipient's name and press RETURN. 3) Type his Usenet address. Do not type the >INTERNET:. Autopilot adds this automatically. 4) Complete as in steps 4 and 5 above.
#125231From: Betty Clay/SYSOPDec 15, 1993 11:31 PM
Dom, I understand that messages for Arnor should be sent to mtilley@cix.compulink.co.uk Mark Tilley is the managing director of Arnor. (This message courtesy of Peter Miles, who is visiting here at the moment.) —Betty
#125237From: daniel stripesDec 16, 1993 12:00 AM
I tried to send a message to this address and it showed up back in my mail box…does that mean that it's an invalid address? // daniel on autopilot in paradise \X/ powered by intel and motorola
#125246From: Steve Bennett/SYSOPDec 16, 1993 12:40 AM
I sent a message to that address about a week ago, and it was not returned to me as undeliverable. The message did not ask for a reply… it was simply a test to see if it would go throught the system, which it did.
#125353From: Betty Clay/SYSOPDec 17, 1993 12:03 AM
Daniel, I suspect you forgot to use the full address – since we've given you only the last half. It should be, in full: >INTERNET:mtilley@cix.compulink.co.uk Or, if you put the address into your address book, and then click on the Internet button in AutoPilot, you should be able to use it that way. AutoPilot will automatically put the ">INTERNET:" on the front of the address for you. —Betty
#124830From: Nancy PriceDec 12, 1993 7:56 AM
Dom.. As Jeff says, you can Email Arnor on CIX (forgot about that). I was on CIX, but that system is for the more technically- minded, no good for me! However, I think Arnor have their own section, but I found them rather slow in answering messages posted on there. But if you advised M. Yates that you were going to use CIX, they may well be more on the ball. Or I can phone them for you and tell them that you will be using Email to CIX. I like the Protext6, especially the Dialogue boxes for format setting, so much faster that referring to the manual all the time. As for the Graphics Import..brilliant! Nancy
#124951From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 13, 1993 8:51 AM
Nancy, Hi. The next time you speak to Michael Yates you can tell him I'll probably use CIX or Fax when I have future questions or comments. I like Protext 6, too, but there are still a few problems. First, I found a few bugs, but they already fixed them and are sending be the updated version. Next, the program is excellent, BUT, they still need to put the finishing touches in to make it a fully Amigatized program. Yes, I agree the Dialogue boxes are a major improvement, but they should have always been there in the first place. Protext is meant to work basically the same way on all the supported platforms and in an international setting. I think Arnor needs to rethink this if they want to succeed in the U.S. They must make Protext as Amiga-specific as possible. They shouldn't leave out any Amiga-specific features or do things in a non-standard Amiga way, just so the interfaces for all the platforms are the same. They also need to Americanize the program and the manual and sell it as a U.S. edition. Right now, there's one international edition for everybody. The date and time functions bug me. They use the European format of dd/mm/yr, instead of the American format of mm/dd/yr and they use a 24 hour clock instead of AM/PM. You can change the date format in the User Options, but that only affects how the date displays in a directory listing. I'd like to be able to set my date and time preferences and have them used everywhere throughout the program. The manual also refers to pounds instead of dollars and to a full stop instead of a period. Not that big a deal, but since Protext is virtually unheard of in the U.S., there's a great opportunity for it to become a replacement for WordPerfect here, and to do that, I think there should be a U.S. edition of the program. There are still a few areas of the program that do not provide file requesters and the Catalogue Files menu option has got to go. It doesn't comply with the Amiga style guidelines. The Spell Checker is excellent in theory, speed, and execution, but I don't like the interface. You have to type a letter to select an option instead of clicking on an option with the mouse. There also is no option for Ignore Once (only Ignore All), if you use the checker from the menu. You have to run it from Command Mode to use both options. I also don't like the non-standard way they implemented the Cut and Paste options. I've used numerous Amiga word processors, text editors, Midi sequencers, and other programs with Cut/Paste and they ALL work the same way. I don't like and am still having trouble getting used to the Protext method of using Cut/Paste. Finally, and probably the most important thing, they have just got to get rid of the way they implemented the Stored Commands. Having these commands displayed at all times is totally unacceptable. If I use the Date command, it displays the date in European format. Therefore, I must tediously configure and use a stored command so the date displays in the correct U.S. format. But instead of actually seeing the date displayed, I'm forced to endure the display of a cryptic command that will display the date when printed. This is no good. They also need to make a few of the more often-used commands available from the menus, instead of as only stored commands. The Changing Date Function comes to mind. However, the above items could very easily be fixed and Michael Yates has indicated that they do intend to change practically everything I mentioned. That's good, because everything else about the program is truly outstanding. I agree with you about the Graphics Import. Great feature and very nicely done. I also like the Glossary very much. And the Macro/Glossary Editors are also great. The program is indeed powerful and has more features than any other text-based word processor I've ever used or read about. If they can just apply the finishing touches, it will be a truly outstanding product. Thanks for all your help. Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–
#124998From: Nancy PriceDec 13, 1993 3:21 PM
Dom! You`re best off using CIX to contact Arnor. Why pay the cost of a transatlantic call with Fax. Or as I said before, post something on here and I`ll forward whatever on to them. I`ve no yard stick to measure Protext by, as I`ve never used Word Perfect. The only WP programs I used in the past were a far simpler type. I only know that I originally purchased Protext, because it was the first Amiga WP program, I knew of, to have a word count, which I desperately needed at the time. This lack of word counts in Amiga WP programs always annoyed me. I started playing with computers back in the early 80`s, cutting my teeth on a C64. The s/w I used was Easy Script, with its duck-shoot type of menus, and it had a word counter. I missed this option when I upgraded. Here in the UK, we take it for granted that many of the s/w programs we use have Americanised manuals..because they are American programs. One of the biggest problems we have is the dates are written the wrong way around <g>. Also in the UK we do not use the 24 hour clock, but so much of the hardware coming in from Japan and Germany etc., uses the 24 hour clock, that we accept it. I vaguely remember a saying, something about the British and Americans being divided by a common language, this seems even more true than ever! Nancy
#125260From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 16, 1993 2:15 AM
Nancy, > One of the biggest problems we have is the dates are written the wrong way around <g>. Exactly! 😎 I'm glad we agree on that one. Obviously, there is no right and wrong with the dates, it's a matter of custom and what you are used to. To you, the American date system is backwards and a nuisance to use and I can understand that perfectly. By the same token, I don't like using the U.K. date format, which is "backwards" by American standards. But it's more important with a wp, since it's not just for my own viewing. Every letter that I send out will have that date on it. So I think it's important for Arnor to allow the user to easily select the date format they wish to use. I also agree that it's normal to accept and expect the manual to be written in the style of the country that the product is created in, although all those Japanese products do attempt to have manuals in languages other than Japanese. 😎 I just feel that Arnor could make a real killing in the U.S. with the sale of Protext and that inducement might justify an Americanized manual. (Or as you wrote, "Americanised." 8-)) Not let's see: You say colour; we say color. You say full stop; we say period. You say lift; we say elevator. You say flat; we say apartment. You say holiday; we say vacation. You say brackets; we say parentheses, as in (). You say curvy brackets; we say braces, as in {}. Now I want to know, what do you call what Americans call brackets, as in []? 😎 Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–
#125324From: Nancy PriceDec 16, 1993 5:23 PM
Dom, All kidding aside…you are quite right, Arnor should, as we Brits say, pull their finger out and have an Americanised version of Protext. These are square brackets [] I like your curly brackets (braces to you), I can`t seem to find those on my keyboard. "We say tomarto you say tomato..(tum te tum)" ;>) Nancy
#125358From: Don Curtis/SYSOPDec 17, 1993 12:38 AM
Nancy, The curly braces ('{') are shifted square brackets ('[') on US keyboards. Don
#125393From: Nancy PriceDec 17, 1993 3:19 PM
Don, > The curly braces ('{') are shifted square brackets ('[') on US keyboards. (blush) they are on UK keyboards as well! Nancy
#125421From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 17, 1993 11:57 PM
Nancy, > These are square brackets [] I like your curly brackets (braces to you), I can`t seem to find those on my keyboard. I guess the European keyboards are different. On my American keyboard, the parentheses (brackets to you) are the Shifted 9 and 0 keys. The brackets [square brackets to you] are the bottom characters on the two keys after the P. The braces {curly brackets to you} are the Shifted characters on the American bracket keys. That is, {} are the top characters on the [] keys. What do you have as the top characters on the [] keys? Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–
#125485From: Nancy PriceDec 18, 1993 5:56 PM
Dom, Feel quite an idiot, as I replied to Don, UK keyboards (and that includes mine) have the curly brackets – never needed them, never noticed them. Nancy
#125522From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 19, 1993 3:07 AM
Nancy, I can understand that, since braces aren't usually used that much. However, in Symbolic Logic, braces are used to show precedence. Anything in parentheses has the highest precedence (), followed by brackets [], and then braces {}. For instance: If [(p and q) <> (r or s)] is true then {[(p or q is false) and (r or s is true)] or [(p and q is true) and (r and s is false)]}. Happy Holidays! Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–
#125555From: Adrian NealDec 19, 1993 1:46 PM
PMFJI I use Protext too. Although it doesn't help with the manual I beleive that the configuration program for Protext allows the date used to be the American (or Scandinavian one too) if you want it so. Adrian Neal Flying high on AutoPilot
#125636From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 20, 1993 6:16 AM
Adrian, Actually, the Protext manual was okay and was written quite well. I was just suggesting they have an American version if they want to sell a lot of Protext programs in America. Some potential customers might fear they'll have trouble getting support because Arnor is in England coupled with the fact that the manual is written in U.K. English. That tends to give the message that Arnor doesn't have and doesn't expect to get many American customers. The Config program allows you to set the American date format, but the format is only used when displaying dates in the file requester. The Date command always uses the English format. I have to use a long and very tedious Stored Command in order to use the American format, and then the date doesn't even display on the screen. Only the Stored Command is displayed. Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–
#125708From: Adrian NealDec 20, 1993 8:19 PM
I agree, the way the manual is writen is important. I have to read quite a few "american" manuals from time to time. Although I can understand them the differences in the "common" language detract from the message that the autho(u)rs intend. Regarding yours date problem. I have just had a look into "Exfile, The magazine for Protext users" issue 3. Within is a short slice of promerge that may be more to your liking. >sv rdate=sys_date[w2]+" "+sys_date[w1]+", "+sys_date[w3] >ex key 300 "&rdate&" After this has been "printed" it alters the alt-d key use the format month-day-year format so beloved in your part of the world. If you like it, why not have it printed as part of your exfile? Adrian Neal Flying high on AutoPilot
#125863From: Dominick J. FontanaDec 22, 1993 5:30 AM
Adrian, Thanks. That's basically the procedure I have been using. I assigned the stored command to a macro that gives me the American date format. I just thought it would be good if Protext made selecting the date format a simple matter, especially now that WB has a locale directory. That is, that each country should be able to use their own formats. One other thing I forgot to mention. In the Print Requester, they have options for A3, A4, and A5 paper size. This means nothing to Americans. We use Letter and Legal size. There is a custom option, which is what I have to use now to define my Letter and Legal size paper. So it can be done, but again it gives the impression that the program isn't really meant for American use. That's probably why most Americans haven't heard of it. That's a shame because the program is really powerful, feature-laden, and fast. There are just a few tweaks the program needs here and there and I think it would become a best-seller in America. Fortunately, Arnor agrees with me and I'm working with them right now and they've been very receptive to implementing all my changes. For instance, they already updated the program again to include the Letter and Legal size paper I asked for, plus they've included a size for American Envelopes. I also mentioned that they should have a WordPerfect option in the Convert program. It's a natural, since I think it is the old WordPerfect users that are the most likely to upgrade to Protext. They said they thought of it but didn't do it because WP Corp. wanted money to release their codes. So I'm trying to write a WP Convert program for them. I have a ton of WP files and I'd hate to have to manually format them again with Protext. I feel confident that when all the changes are implemented, the program will sell very well in America. Dom Fontana –> Sent from NY via AP <–