HINTS-30 Autosaving There is a very clever way of guarding against the total loss of work-in- progress when wordprocessing. This is done by saving the work you are doing at regular intervals. At least if you do have a "crash" you will not lose everything you have done so far. only that which was typed since the last "save". The intervals you can decide for yourself. What is needed is a CLI, (which we call AUTOSAVE.CLI). As soon as a new Pipedream file is opened, ready to start typing, we go to the Filer and <>EXecute this CLI - simply putting the cursor on it and typing <>EX. #A~R~E~D~D|D||FSwip~~E ~D~D~R~D~R~D~D~D~D~D~D~D ~U~R~D~E~E The Alarm function will interrupt your typing - very briefly - at set intervals to save the work so far to a file called "wip" and then return to your page for you to carry on with your typing, from exactly where you were at the interruption. In the example above it will do this every two minutes. If you wish to increase this time then you can load the CLI into Pipedream, add as many ~U 's as you like to the beginning of the third line. Each ~U adds one minute to the time interval. Of course, if this is done the CLI must be re-saved - - - remember to save it as Plain Text !! Don't forget to go to the Alarm ( using []A ) and CLEAR it when you have finished your text - or you could end up with a flat battery ! From an original idea by Leo Gajsler in a Z88 USER mag. Multiple Columns in Pipedream Using two columns for text on a Pipedream page and using Condensed print will give you 140% more words to the page. BUT should it be necessary to do any editing it could prove to be very difficult, e.g. one can't use <>N and <>Y but must use <>EIRC and <>EDRC. So, do all the text in Col A and only split into two columns when the page is completed. Remember that any Highlights in the text of the first column will spread across both columns on the completed page, so always close off any highlights you use. Transferring the bottom section to Col C is no problem **. You simply type <>Z at the first line of the second page; same again at the last line to give a highlighted bottom section. Then move the cursor to the top of Col C and type <>BM for Block Move. ** Col B is the gap - W=4. Be very careful if you wish to make amendments later. It could be best to transfer the second column of text to the bottom of the first column, carry out the modifications and then split the text again. Buying Duracells I've often said that Duracells are not expensive if you buy them at Xmas - proved again this year (1997). Dixon's are selling 3 packs of 12 AA size for only £14.98 i.e. £1.67 for four !! Jack Lawrie 15 Sycamore Grove Southam Warwickshire CV33 0EY Back to HINTS-INDEX