RIPType Background ------------------ Here is a little program I cooked up last night in a matter of minutes after calling the RIPGraf/RIPComm support board. I have had a couple people asking me to convert ConDir, my directory utility for DLG (plug-pick it up if you haven't already) to support RIP. Well, I looked high and low for a way to do it. I wanted some way of making a list on the RIP screen. But alas, I couldn't figure it out. So, anyway, I happened across a little demo on the RIPGraf board that had scrolling ANSI text and gfx in a RIP text window. Bingo! I captured the thing with RIPComm (plug-get it, its a ton better than AmigaRIP) and went to work. I've included the source code for the program which essentially lists a text (or ANSI) file to the text window. I hope that programmers will make an effort to support RIP in their programs. It is really easy to do as is demonstrated by this program. I reserve no particular rights on this program. You may do with it as you wish. If you do use the code and it works for you, let me know. This program can be distributed by any system, network, etc. on the face of the earth. This includes SAN, ADS, AmiNet, etc. How to use it ------------- riptype where filename is the name (and path) of an ASCII or ASCII text file. Notes about the code -------------------- Let me explain a little on what I did. First, I made a text window with the required RIP commands. I made sure the window was exactly 26 lines tall and 80 columns wide. That is a little longer than a normal screen, but I didn't want to have a curser on the rectangle box. This essentially means that the text window has become the size of a normal ANSI screen. All the extra space around the box can be used for RIP buttons, graphics, etc. Try taking out the last line that has the RIP command !|* in it. When you do that, the RIP screen stays active even as the program finishes. If you don't have a RIP menu for the menu you called RIPType from, the normal DLG menu will appear in the box. Essentially, DLG is running in that single text box. That seemed rather interesting to me. It may be second hand to you. I am designing my menus with this in mind from now on. Both the message and file menus can have a text window put in them with the RIP buttons placed on the outside. The user can still see everything, but they have the ease of use of RIP. Now, I know this is an easy way out. All you really get is a window with the normal boring ANSI output surrounded by buttons. Yes, it might be easier for the user to use, but it lacks the flare of a full RIP presentation. I like it because it is EASY to add to a program and that program can still do plain ANSI at the same time. Here is walk through: { /* I use a ReadArgs call */ if(args.rip) { /* Kills all mouse fields */ printf("!|1K\n"); /* Reset Screen */ printf("!|*\n"); /* Define text window This is the important part! */ printf("!|w050A2D0Z11\n"); /* Make a rectangle around the text window Best bet is to make the box one font size larger than the text window */ printf("!|R0S24GT8011\n"); /* Das Okay button--Returns ^m (CR) */ /* Set font to default, horiz, size 1, resolution 0 (?) */ printf("!|Y00000200\n"); /* Define the button. This is where RIPGraf comes in as this is almost impossible to decode */ printf("!|1B0000020QO0040E000F080700000F07000000\n"); printf("!|1U6Z8OAF987400<>Okay<>^M\n"); /* Setting color to light green */ printf("!|c0A\n"); /* Set font to Sans Serif, horiz, size 4, resolution 0 (?) */ printf("!|Y03000400\n"); /* Display text at */ printf("!|@4G0DRIPType by Guy Smith\n"); /* RIP drawing is complete */ printf("!|#|#|#\n"); } /* Do your normal stuff here that you normally do in the ANSI window. If you have RIP, they will be in the RIP window. Else, they will look like normal ANSI */ ... /* Reset the text window. Note that I don't care about sending the RIP command since, even though I don't have RIP, it is cleared with the ANSI screen clear. printf("!|*\033[H\033[2J\n"); } Here is some info about how to reach Mike Nelson (the author of RIPComm and RIPGraf). I hope he doesn't mind me including this info. SUPPORT ~~~~~~~ I can be reached by Internet as M.NELSON34@GENIE.GEIS.COM I now have a support BBS running,you can download updates of the program as well as other RIP stuff, running 24hrs/day at (519)542-6788 (V.32/V.42bis supported). REGISTERING ~~~~~~~~~~~ If you'd like to register RIPGRAF, then send a registration fee of 30 US ($38 CAN for Canadian residents only) to: Mike Nelson 76 Olympus Ct. #59 Sarnia, Ontario CANADA N7S 4S7 Also, you might want to pick up a copy of the RIP Protocol Specification from the TeleGrafix BBS. This is very. very important as it allows you to decipher the RIP commands. TeleGrafix Communications, Inc. 16458 Bolsa Chica #15 Huntington Beach, CA 92649 Voice: 714-379-2131 Fax: 714-379-2132 BBS: 714-379-2133 Me -- If you want to get in touch with me, I can be reached at: Guy Smith 1093 Manigan Ave. Oviedo, FL 32765 VOICE (407) 366-6426 GUSMITH@delphi.com Gus's BS BBS (407) 366-6274 FidoNet 1:363/274 AmiNet 40:716/21