VDE192A.NEW ----------- VDE update news: version 1.92A, 23 Oct 2000 (c)2000, E. Meyer ================================== NEWS ===================================== ORDERING INFORMATION See the order form (ORDER.FRM) for current fees for registration, site licenses, and updates. Please provide all information requested. VDE ONLINE VDE can now be registered online through PSL/DigiBuy, at the following web address: http://www.digibuy.com/cgi-bin/order.html?27808+94969295290 Discussion of VDE is supported on an Internet mailing list. To join, send the E-mail message "subscribe" to: vde-subscribe@topica.com You will receive a confirmation request to which you must respond, and then a welcome message with further instructions. VDE and related files can be found on a number of individual sites via the World Wide Web or File Transfer Protocol, including the following, which are likely to have recent updates: http://short.stop.home.att.net/index.htm http://www.punky.com/vde http://members.aol.com/wolffsoft/vde.htm ftp://members.aol.com/billw50/vde CompuServe subscribers can find VDE in the download libraries of several forums, including Vintage Computing (GO VINTAGE; file VDE.ZIP). VDE can also be found on numerous shareware download websites, including: www.zdnet.com/downloads by searching on keyword "VDE" www.cnet.com under Downloads:PC:Business:Word processing www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lakes/1401/softlib1.htm under "Word Processing" Of course, some sources may not always have the latest version. Y2K COMPLIANCE VDE has been fully Y2K-compliant since version 1.81, in 1996. (In still earlier versions, dates from 2000 on would simply have displayed in MM/DD/YY format with an extra digit, i.e. "/100" instead of "/00".) =============================== UPDATE GUIDE ================================ Users of previous versions of VDE will notice the following changes in operation. Please refer to the instructions for full details. Thanks to reports and suggestions from email list members, version 1.92A corrects several problems, and adds the removal of soft CRs to the clipboard translation in the ^[ (copy) command. NEW IN VDE 1.92 * VDE can now access the Windows clipboard directly, using two new commands ^[ (copy) and ^] (paste). Copied text is translated between DOS/ASCII and Windows/ANSI formats, to the extent possible. (This translation can be disabled with a new toggle, Esc*b). See CLIPBOARD. * Under Windows 95/98/NT, VDE can now show Long File Names: if the current file has an LFN, it will display (along with its DOS path) when AltK is used. Also, when you embed the ^F code in a print header (using ^PF), it now prints the filename (Long if applicable), with no path. (If you prefer the DOS name/path, use ^F alone to expand that as usual at the prompt.) * There is a new command AltY (copY) to copy a block into the paste buffer; AltC (Cut) now copies and removes the block from the current file. (Note: if you weren't using the former VINST option "Cut deletes block", you'll need to change your habits, and possibly your macros. AltC alone should be replaced by AltY; AltC,^KY can become simply AltC.) * The [Del] key has a new feature: when used immediately after marking a block with the Shift-arrow keys or mouse, it deletes the block (a common feature in other editors today.) * Print (^KP) has a new option "J", to force a page to eject after block print or zoom mode printing when it wouldn't otherwise. (A growing number of printers no longer have control panels for this.) * A new macro command Esc** saves several critical values (Insert, Autoformat, and Margin release status) that commonly have to be changed for macros to work properly, for restoration when the macro ends. See TOGGLE CONTROL. * Two new macro test/jump commands are provided for navigating multi- segment files: Esc[ or Esc], followed by a label, jumps if there are any previous or following segments of the current file. See SEGMENT NAVIGATION. * VINST offers a new Installation choice to turn off VDE's feature that lets the CapsLock key act as Ctrl too. Also, two former VINST Options have been removed: "Use ^Z as EOF" (outdated) and "Cut deletes block" (replaced by new AltY command). ========================= RECENT UPDATE SUMMARIES =========================== VDE 1.91 (Apr 2000) * While using VDE, the [CapsLock] key now also automatically acts as [Ctrl] if you combine it with another key. * Windows 95/98 "Long File Names" are now preserved when changes are saved to an existing file. * /M file mode has been improved, and now reads the new file format introduced with the latest version of Microsoft Word. VDE 1.9 (Nov 1999) * LARGER FILES CAN NOW BE EDITED in multiple segments. This is a major change; please read the instructions on "LARGE FILES" and "SEGMENTATION" carefully. (VDE.DOC is now one large file.) * A new AltS command performs a global Save on all modified files being edited (unless untitled or protected). * AltW now handles all windowing, within a file or between two files (^OW is gone). AltM (Match) can now be used within a single file. * You can now change the default file mode and/or margins for a VDE session by specifying an option on the command line before any filenames: VDE /M FILE1... or VDE /5,60 FILE1... * Minor improvements: The Right/Left arrow keys once again have the behavior they had before version 1.87A. Column block toggles ^KN,^KI are now fully independent of one another. Overflow graphics are now replaced by ^PG, which is visible and easily searchable, rather than a space. VDE 1.87 (Jan 1999) * A new input direction command ^I cycles between right (normal), down, left, and up, for easier construction of vertical lines, borders, boxes, etc. The copy character command ^\ now works appropriately in any direction, and has a new feature to repeat graphics just entered. * The file browser now lists files in a more effective vertical order, and requests confirmation ("Y"es/"N"o) before deleting a file. * A new file mode /T reads and writes files in Windows Notepad format, unformatted text using ANSI (Latin-1) characters in the range 128-255 (80- FF). Mode /M has been improved, and can now read MS Word 97 files. * Block marking in column mode now behaves more smoothly when it encounters short lines, adding spaces (and removing them again, during shift- arrow or mouse blocking) to keep the marker in the intended column. [1.87A] * Minor improvements: Rename (^KE) once again accepts a drive/directory without a filename. In document modes, Preview (^OD) now also hides printer commands embedded directly in the text with ^P[Esc]. The auto-number command ^K# can now number in decreasing order with a new option "-". [1.87B] VDE 1.86 (Jun 1998) * A new block command ^KT can convert hard tabs into spaces, maintaining columnar alignment; and the ^K^ command (switch block case) has been removed. (Here is a macro to replace it: ^QB ^KZ Esc$2 Esc1 ^^ Esc!1 Esc2 ^KZ) * Improvements have been made in proportional mode (^OK) to the header display, left margin and initial indent (^OL, ^OO), paragraph indent (^OG), and ruler (^OT); all better reflect the effects of proportional margins. * Column block mode (^KN) now properly handles block moves to a location within or overlapping the marked block itself. In replace mode (^KI), moves and deletions now leave a block of blank spaces behind. [1.86A] * A new printer toggle ^PU (user) is available in mode /D. The print (^KP) menu shows the driver in use, and has a new option "I" for a tab expansion interval. Envelope printing (^KPA) handles different font sizes. * Minor improvements: The file browser, when invoked via file load commands AltL or ^KL/D, offers a new key [F5] for load ALL. Preview (^OD) now allows use of arrow keys to scroll the screen. The Use (AltU) command can now read and write individual VDK files also. The function key label line (^OU) can now be scrolled by holding two of Shift/Ctrl/Alt at once. * VINST's nstallation no longer asks for a computer type; VDE now automatically detects the HP 95/100/200LX palmtops, and no longer supports anything but true PC compatibles. Under ptions, you can now adjust the amount of memory used by the speller dictionaries for best performance. VDE 1.85 (Jan 1998) * The commands to define and record macros are now ^M and ^MM. After entering a macro at the prompt, ^[Enter] will simply repeat the macro (visibly) until you press [Esc]. * Input at command prompts can now be edited with the [<],[>] arrow keys, instead of only being able to backspace and retype. * The file browser can now also be invoked from ^KW (block write) or AltU (load .VDx). Also, it now shows ALL subdirectories present, not just those whose name matches the given filespec. * VINST offers two new selections under nstallation: for 132-column mode (AltA), "V" for VESA compliant, which works on most recent video cards; and under keyboard type, "T"est, as normal default, in addition to overrides "A"T and "X"T. VDE 1.84 (Sep 1997) * A new command Esc*m makes the file match command AltM treat hard CRs as whitespace rather than a potential mismatch. * The auto-number command ^K# now has multiple options, not only to set a starting number, but also continue numbering from the last use; align flush; use Roman numerals; or use a different marker character. * Minor improvements: ^[Tab] now inserts spaces if Insert is on. Spell checking (AltJ) recognizes words hyphenated at the ends of lines. /F mode can now read some larger WordPerfect files. ============================= VERSION HISTORY =============================== 1984-1987: Development of "Video Display Editor" for CP/M computers. VDE 1.0 (Dec87): First MSDOS release, for IBM PC compatibles only. 1.01 (Dec87): Faster; several bug fixes; minor changes to VINST. 1.1 (Jan88): Edits 2 files; AltE; AltT,D; DOS shell; generic ANSI inst. 1.2 (Mar88): AltW; AltM; Split; ^OQ; ^QT,^QI; AltG; [F]-keys; wordcount. 1.21 (May88): Auto indent; enhanced ^OI; ^PL is pagebreak. 1.22 (Aug88): AltO; AltA; AltI; append to files; enhanced ^KP, display. 1.3 (Jan89): 6 files; AltC,P; AltV; improved ^QA,^U; /5 mode (now /S). 1.31 (Mar89): ^K#; ^KZ; macro keys A-Z; AltU; ^OD. 1.4 (Jul89): MenuBars; macro record; proportional format/print mode. 1.5 (Dec89): 8 files; ^KA; enhanced ^KF,^QF, ^OW/AltF; uses less memory. 1.51 (Mar90): /P, /X file modes; word insert; improved ^OK mode. 1.52 (Apr90): Various small improvements and fixes. 1.53 (May90): ^QL,N; /M mode; foreign language/KEYBxx compatibility. 1.54 (Sep90): Small improvements; supports enhanced keyboard, F11/F12. 1.6 (Dec90): AUTO FORMAT; Justify; ^OG; {User}; /U; improved ^U, ^OD. 1.61 (Mar91): Envelope printer; /C mode; enhanced AltE, block marking. 1.62 (Oct91): Supports UltraVision, HP95LX palmtop. 1.63 (Jun92): Autoexec macro; ^\ (now ^H); enhanced ^QF,^OI,^KF,^KA etc. 1.64 (Aug92): "W"ord find; dual /D,A modes; DESQview aware. 1.65 (Feb93): Protected mode ^KO; Browser can tag files; [goto#] option. 1.7 (Jun93): SPELLING CHECKER; ^OU; HP100LX. PC compatibles only, again. 1.71 (Oct93): Esc?, Esc: for macro input; small improvements. 1.72 (Jan94): Reads WordPerfect 6 files; small improvements. 1.73 (Aug94): ^[Del]; [gotostring] option; small improvements. 1.8 (Aug95): COLUMN BLOCKS ^KN,^KI; mouse; ^OY, Esc*S; ^KU; ^Tab, ^\. 1.81 (Sep96): Indent ^OO; Esc/; load option /1-8; small improvements. 1.82 (Jan97): Esc*L; /L mode; various small improvements and fixes. 1.83 (May97): Esc*t; Esc*U; Esc@; Esc(H,T); many small improvements. 1.84 (Sep97): Esc*m; more ^K# options; small improvements. 1.85 (Jan98): Improved Macros (^M), browser; prompt line editing; VESA. 1.86 (Jun98): ^KT; improved proportional mode, ^KP, ^KN, browser, etc. 1.87 (Jan99): Input direction ^I; /T mode; improved browser, etc. 1.9 (Nov99): EDITS LARGER FILES; global save; improved windowing, etc. 1.91 (Apr00): CapsLock/Ctrl key; preserves Win95/98 LFNs; improved /M. 1.92 (Oct00): Windows Clipboard ^[,^]; AltY; Esc**; Esc[,]; etc. ==============================[end VDE.UPD]==================================