HINTS-32

  Printing list files.

  A list file is one which holds a list of other files, linked  together  in
  such  a  way  that  it  is  easy to move between them without having to go
  through the procedure of loading each of the files from  RAM each time you
  want to read/print the next page.

  When  such  files  are  a  section of a book or a manual or a presentation
  document then list files are very useful indeed, and  especially  when  it
  comes to printing the whole of the manuscript, page by page.

  Unfortunately, probably due to the need to get books out when the Z88 was
  first  introduced, there is little information on how to print these files
  in the most convenient way, i.e. push a couple of  keys  and  let  it  all
  happen - as when this set of HINTS was printed.

  To recap on the method of designating LIST files :-

  a) the references for the items (usually by the titles given to them) are
     put  in  Column  A of a Pipedream file, one after another with no blank
     lines between.  Each reference may apply to only  one  or  to  several,
     numbered pages under the same title i.e HINTS-1  HINTS-2  etc.

  b) when  completed,  the  list  is  saved  to  RAM,  plain  text, with its
     filename and the suffix L  -  mine is HINTS.L

     All this is fairly well covered in various  publications,  some  better
     than others.

                  ------------------------------------------

  Now to the printing of List Files - not covered anywhere that I've seen.

  The  files must, of course, all be in the same RAM, but not in any partic-
  ular order.

  Using  a  new  Pipedream entry it is only necessary to type <>FL and enter
  the filename,, without any suffix, e.g. HINTS and the first file will come
  on screen.

  Now one only has to type  <>PO  and ALL THE FILES in turn will be printed,
  in the order in which their titles are set down in the list file - so, be
  sure to have enough paper loaded !

  "Ah, but what if there is a problem part-way through ?"  Well, you simply
  load  your  List file back into Pipedream, delete those files successfully
  printed, Save the new list - plain text, remember - and enter <>PO again.

  One very important point ! Every page MUST have a "page break" so  that  a
  new  sheet  of paper will be fed for the next page.  All you have to do is
  to type at Line 62 for listing paper, or Line 64 for A4, <>EIP  and  press
  ENTER  twice.  You  should see a line created.  Of course, in the Options,
  you make this your Page Length.

  This may be a little difficult to grasp at first but should you  have  the
  need  to  print  loads-a-files  the  simplicity  of  this method will be a
  sufficient reward for your patience, and perseverance.  After all, this is
  how this set of HINTS, and many others were printed.

     Jack Lawrie, 15 Sycamore Grove, Southam, Leamington Spa.  CV33 0EY.

Back to HINTS-INDEX