AbcManual
Converted from .PDB by Abc-TextPackage Desktop Companion
About :
Raison d'etre :
Raison d'etre
We have tried several text editing apps available for Palm platform, but none of them had all the functionality we needed.
What we needed was an app that's as intuitive and easy to use as MemoPad is, and has most or all of the following features:
- ability to create more then 15 groups (categories) of memos
- some form of the on-screen keyboard for really fast & easy text entry
- an easy way of exchanging texts with Windows desktop
- password protection of sensitive data
- some T6xx 5way navigator support
- bigger memos and some advanced text editing functions would be welcome
We have found that there are many MemoPad replacements available, as well as several really nice VFS txt editors but...
In general, MemoPads lack advanced features or, better to say, there are so many different products, each of them offering a different feature set (i.e. multiple categories, hierarchical memos, security, drawing etc). Although this may be in accordance with "Zen of Palm", where apps are designed to perform a single simple task, all those are actually Memo editors and it simply is not vy nice to switch apps whenever a different need arise.
On the other side, VFS txt-file editors, with all their flexibility, make navigation unnecessary complicated requiring some form of "file-name" and relatively cumbersome process of desktop-alike "current folder" selection that usually requires use of stylus. There is also some form of "File Save" command required to synchronize edited text back to VFS card.
Apparently, the only viable solution was to create a special editor mix of it's own. So here it is. We hope you'll find that it suits your needs too...
Just install it, assign to a hard-key (button) and all the advaced functionalities will be available to you seamlessly, at the touch of the button...
What is it good for :
What is it good for
It's main use is as an EXTERNAL MEMORY!
All sorts of personal and professional information can find it's way into the AbcTextPack's folders and categories.
If you have some sensitive data to store, there are strong encryption algorithms to password-protect your secrets.
By asigning the "Preset keys" to memos, an instant jump to commonly used ones can be done.
The "Quick-memo" feature provides for hassle-free note taking in bustled real life situations.
...and on the end of a day, when you find your peaceful and comfortable place to sort the things out, you can make use of the powerful text editing features of this AbcTextPack app.
It's a sort of app that does not look fancy but certainly is quite useful...
Enjoy!
Full Package and Separate Apps :
Full Package and Separate Apps
ABCTextPackage is available as a full package ("ABCPack" & "ABCTreo") that includes all functions in a single app.
Separate apps (ABCNotes, ABCWallet, ABCDiary etc.) provide a subset of ABCPack functionality required for their projected use.
All "ABC" products share the same advanced editing features (on-screen keyboard, twin-view, enhanced navigation etc).
Depending on your needs for text data storage on the Palm device, you can choose the product(s) from our product line.
As there is no simple upgrade plan in our distribution channel, please don't hesitate to contact us directly if you wish to upgrade the purchased product.
Demo_Limits :
Release types :
Release types
AbcTextPack apps are available as:
Alpha or beta field-test release:
(available for download at:
www.abcpalm.netfirms.com)
Demo release:
(available for download at:
www.abcpalm.netfirms.com and at various Palm-apps distributor sites)
Full release:
Unregistered/Registered app
(After a purchase, you will receive or download an unregistered copy that can be registered using a key that will be sent to your e-mail address)
Alpha & Beta Release Limitations :
Alpha & Beta Release Limitations
For Alpha & Beta field-test releases of ABCTextPack apps, the following limitations apply:
°TimeBomb:
Test period expires on a fixed date:
(the program will stop functioning but all memos will be preserved). The exact date is release specific and is shown on the splash (about) screen.
Usually, the life span of a field-test AbcTextPad app is 2 months.
°Splash screen:
Splash (about) screen is shown on every startup to ensure that there is a simple way of resetting the app settings if something goes wrong.
°Demo limitations:
There is no 25 days Demo Trial period countdown, and there are no nag screens.
All other "Demo" release limitations apply.
Demo Release Limitations :
Demo Release Limitations
In DEMO release of ABCTextPack applications, the following limitations apply:
°TimeBomb:
To reduce different releases maintenance burden, all AbcTextPack demo-release apps do expire on a fixed date: (the program will stop functioning but all memos will be preserved). The exact date is release specific and is shown on the about screen.
Usually, the life span of a demo-release app is 9 months.
New release of a demo app may be installed over an existing old app if it expires.
°Trial period:
During this demo life span, the application may be installed and the 25 days Trial period started. The countdown form will be shown at program startup.
After the trial period, program won't stop functioning, but a nag screen will pop up frequently.
(Note: The uninstall (delete) process will erase all Abc folders except the built-in MemoPad folder so you should make a backup!)
°Nag screen:
A simple answer-request nag screen is shown occasionally. Alas, there are cases when there is no correct answer.
°App state:
Not all application state settings are saved between editing sessions.
Most notable are: VfsFolder where txt files are saved, List view font and some other settings, some keyboard settings (beep, repeat rate etc)
°Splash screen
The splash (about) screen is shown at program startup if app is not used for more than an hour (it's a day in full version).
°Beaming:
not available (neither at memo nor at category level)
°Global Find/Goto:
not available (note: MemoPad folder will be processed by the Palm MemoPad app anyway)
°Memo multiselect:
Selection is restricted to single memo only (for Cut, Copy etc).
°Memo size:
Max memo size for non MemoPad memos is limited to 8Kb (4Kb for MemoPad). (The full release version has the 28 Kb limit!)
°LRU list & Presets:
Last recently used list and presets are limited to single last entry only!
°VFS support:
a bit slow: VFS procedures utilize an unoptimized memory-to-VFS process
Unregistered Limitations :
Unregistered Limitations
After a purchase, you will receive / download the full-release ABCTextPack app. It needs to be unlocked with a supplied registration key to enable the full functionality.
Until a full-release ABCTextPack application (i.e. not a demo release) is unlocked, the following limitations apply:
°Trial period:
Trial period expires after 25 days of use. The countdown will be shown at program startup.
(Note: The uninstall (delete) process will erase all Abc folders except the built-in MemoPad so you should make a backup!)
°Nag screen:
After the trial period, program won't stop functioning, but a nag screen will pop up frequently.
°No other limitations in functionality apply
Beta features :
Beta features
The following features are currently available in beta-releases only:
- Journaling/Diary mode
- Log memos (date/time stamped)
- Basic PalmDoc info/browse & Doc2Memo import/export support
Installation :
ABCTextPack Installation :
ABCTextPack Installation
#!!B¤
¤ INSTALL
You can install any ABCTextPack application using the standard Palm install procedure i.e. click on the "!Abc?.prc" file on your desktop to load it into the Palm Desktop app's upload list and then perform HotSync. You may use any other install tool of your preference as appropriate.
You can choose to upload the ABCTextPack documentation (this file), by HotSyncing the "AbcT__AbcManual.pdb".
Note: This file is only readable with "AbcTextPack" and "AbcTreo" apps!
You may wish to assign ABCTextPack app to one of the Palm's launch buttons. This can be done using the "Pref" application located in lour launcher's "System" folder. (select "Buttons" category in the upper right corner of the "Pref" screen).
There is also the "Set launch button" option under "App" submenu in ABCTextPack that can assign ABCTextPack app to the righmost (ex. MemoPad) button automatically.
note: you can use MemoPad in parallel with this app and you can always revert to the original button settings at later time. MemoPad can be started from your launchers "Main" screen as usual.
If you have assigned ABCTextPack to a launch button then you can access various functions in ABCTextPack by pressing this button repeatedly. Press it once for "Done" twice to activate the "CategorySelect" operation, once more to activate "FolderSelect" and hold it pressed for about a second to activate the "QuickMemo" operation (that will immediately start a new time-logged memo in MemoPad's "Unfilled" category).
note: if you have a special launcher (like EasyLaunch) or other software installed that intercepts the button keypresses, the ABCTextPack QuickMemo operation may be unavailable.
¤ UPGRADE
Unless otherwise instructed in the "read.me" file supplied with the upgrade, you can hotsync the upgrade version of ABCTextPack with no special precaution. The app will take care of resource versioning, deleting the old resource structures if necessary.
You can always make ABCTextPack rebuild it's resource/preference settings by selecting the "Reset app" option on the "App" ListView menu or by pressing the "Reset Settings" button on the splash screen. This will clear all memorized LastRecentlyUsed lists, templates, RunApp lists, presets etc. You will have to define/load them again.
If after an upgrade a registration is required then simply reenter the key you have received before.
There is no use to install a new demo release over the previously installed full release with lower release number, as all the demo limitations would apply. The new full releases will be made available to you when a certain amount of changes, improvements and/or bug-fixes accumulate.
¤ UNINSTALL
You can uninstall the ABCTextPack application at any time using the standard Palm uninstall procedure i.e. selecting "Delete" option from the Launcher menu.
ABCTextPack apps do not utilize any hacks, so you don't need to inform your hack manager that you are going to uninstall this app.
Please note that uninstalling the ABCTextPack this way, will also delete all your memos in all ABCTextPack folders except in MemoPad folder (which is a built-in MemoPad's database). You may want to move (cut&paste) your texts from other folders to "MemoPad" folder or export them to PalmDoc files or VFS .txt files before deleting the ABCTextPack application.
Beware that the built-in MemoPad is not able to handle memos bigger then 4096 characters, nor is it able to decipher the ABCTextPack password protected files.
ABCTextPack's memory requirements are low, it's app size being just slightly more then 100 Kb, which really is low for such a capable package.
As for data area, this app is not supposed to hold bulky reference materials, but ample storage space is recommended as this will enable larger multimemo Clipboard area. Note too that all VFS Shadowed memos are stored in-memory (in ABCTextPack database) as well.
ABCTextPack Registration :
ABCTextPack Registration
After a purchase, you will receive / download the full-release ABCTextPack app. It needs to be unlocked with a supplied registration key to enable the full functionality.
To unlock go to the "Register" option under the "App" submenu.
A form will open with an empty field to enter the supplied key. Press OK button to confirm the key.
If the supplied key is not accepted there is a possibility that we have not received your hot-sync name correctly. In such a case send us the 12 letter code that is displayed on top of the key enter form.
(it's something like AAAA-BBBB-CCCC)!
Send it to: abcpalm@hotpop.com so that we can resend you a new key.
Please allow 5 business days for your license key to be processed and sent to you. If after 5 days you do not have your license key, please send an email to: abcpalm@hotpop.com.
More and more email systems are blocking our attempts to send license keys to customers, so please do your best to include this email address in your SPAM filters as a legal address.
If it appears to you that you cannot reach us trough this mail address, please submit a request form on the abcpalm home site:
www.abcpalm.netfirms.com
Device Compatibility :
Device Compatibility
ABCTextPack app is a new product suite, still in development stage, so it may or may not work on your specific Palm compatible device. In any case it's recommended to try the trial release before you buy the product and to find out for yourself wether it works or not on your particular device.
Up to now, all user reports say it's rock solid on Treo 600 and all Handspring Treo Series PDAs. It should also work flawlessly on any other standard resolution color or B/W device with PalmOS between 3.5 and 4.0.
As on T650 devices, some users have experienced occasional soft-resets, while other users say it works OK. We are working on it...
Anyhow, we would be thankful for any bug report you may submit.
Jump-start :
Jump-start instructions :
Jump-start instructions
This is a MemoPad replacement app. It can operate directly on the MemoPad data. You can use it in parallel with the existing MemoPad app if necessary.
ABCTreo version:
This version is essentially the classic ABCTextPack slightly redesigned for T6xx. Support is added for 5way navigator and the expansion card. Support for "Big-keys" and "Finger-type" on-screen keyboards is removed.
This app can be installed using the standard Palm procedure by HotSyncig the "!AbcT.prc" file.
Manuals are available in the ABCTextPack native memo format and can be installed by HotSyncing the "AbcT__AbcManual.pdb" file.
In addition to standard MemoPad memos (stored in here called "MemoPad" folder), this app provides for unlimited number of additional text storage areas (called folders trough this documentation).
Each folder can have it's own set of 15 categories with practically unlimited number of individual memos stored in each category. However, with the ability to create so many folders you will probably want to keep the number of records in a category relatively small.
These additional folders can accept texts of up to 28000 (demo release limited to 8000) characters long, whereas the "MemoPad" folder can hold texts of up to 4096 chars only.
ABCTextPack displays texts in "Browse" or "Edit" modes that differ slightly in navigation. The current navigation state is indicated with letter "E" or an empty mark in the top row of the screen (font / mode button). Modes are changed automatically whenever you start an editing operation, or can be changed manually using the appropriate menu option or font / mode button press.
To make long text entry somewhat easier, ABCTextPack provides a fully programmable autorepeating on-screen keyboard with up to 76 keys.
This keyboard is described in short in the next chapter and detailed info can be found under the "Manual" category.
ABCTextPack provides some support for PalmDoc files, journaling and VFS external memory cards
The Launch Button :
The Launch Button
It's really beneficial to assign a hard key (button) to this app. Usualy, this will be the rightmost button that used to be assigned to the "MemoPad" app in pre Treo Palm's, but any of the four will do.
If a button is redefined to launch the ABCTextPack app, then it can be used to:
1. Start ABCTextPack app
2. End edit mode (as with the "Done" button)
3. Open category select list
4. Open folder select list
5. Switch (1)/(2) twin windows (press shift+key)
6. Start an "InstantMemo" in MemoPad's "Unfiled" folder (press and hold)
Any button can be assigned the standard way, using the "Buttons" option in Palm's "Prefs" application, or you can use the AbcTextPack's built-in "Set Launch Button" option under the "App" submenu to assign the rightmost button automatically.
If you decide later on, that you wish your "Power" or "MemoPad" back on this button, the Palm's "Prefs" application can be used to accomplish the task easily.
The on-screen keyboard :
The on-screen keyboard
The keyboard can be operated in several display modes ranging from very small keyboard to "big keys" mode suitable for finger-typing.
This keyboard is specific in that it can have separate left and right space keys. Those keys insert a space character and perform various control functions as well.
Most of the other keys perform as the ordinary keyboard keys do, but there are exceptions. Some of the most notable are listed here:
- uppercase characters can be entered by performing an "Up" skew on a key (tap a key area and drag the stylus short way upwards).
- there are up to 16 different actions you may assign to different skews and apply them to a key by dragging the stylus up, left, up-right etc
- one of the most useful actions is by default assigned to the ShortLeft skew which replaces the previous (wrong) character with a new one.
- short right skew, by default, inserts the character followed by space.
- space keys, enter, tab, backspace and shift keys are considered control keys and can perform many editing and navigational actions. Here are the most useful ones:
- right skew applied to the backspace key performs a "delete right" operation
- you can cut/copy/paste using the left space key:
cut = left skew
copy = up skew
paste = down skew
- you can move left/right up/down using the right space key
- it's possible to display command & function keys (small dots around the keyboard) that perform the already mentioned and several other operations (see Manual)
- there are four small dots between alpha and numeric parts of the keyboard. Pressing them activates:
ASCII table
Tiny calculator
Date picker
Switches keyboard off
- keyboard is capable of macro recording, templates, multiple clipboards and various other advanced functions
Flags and other Extras :
Flags and other Extras
The first and the second line of text may be used as a "flag line" controlling text encryption, initial cursor positioning etc. (flags are of form "!!Xx")
Other xtras you can find listed in "Feature list" chapter in manual.
External Memory Card Support :
External Memory Card Support
ABCTextPack provides three different uses of a VFS device (usually SD/MMC or Compact Flash card).
°BACKUP:
Entire folders can be backup to VFS and restored from VFS if necessary.
°SHADOWING (Duplication):
Individual memos (or the entire category) can be duplicated to a VFS folder utilizing standard TXT file format. Memos can be reloaded back from a VFS (for instance if they are changed using a desktop system).
Shadowing process can be automated to create a shadow copy whenever a memo is changed and to reload whenever a memo is open.
°LOAD/SAVE:
You can use standard "Load" and "Save As" menu options to read or write any memo to or from any location in a VFS card directory structure.
Kbd_Definitions :
_About Kbd Definitions :
_About Kbd Definitions
All ABCTextPack apps have built in a programmable keyboard. Altough the defaulkbd layout is "qwerty" english you can select a different keyboard layout at will.
Keyboard definition is stored in a standard memo where it can be edited and modified easily.
Under this category, you can find several example layouts that you can modify freely to suit your needs...
To activate a new keyboard layout:
1. Open a memo with kbd definition
2. Use "Import layout" menu option in "Kbd" submenu
Note: Abc Templates (for details see Manual) are linked to generated keys and not to the key positions in keyboard layout.
KbdDef BigSpaces 1 :
KbdDef BigSpaces 1
Big Space Keys 1
#define
!@#$%^&()_<>\‚‚ 789/
ƒQWERTYUIOP[]{} 456*
…ASDFGHJKL;:'"„ 123-
††ZXCVBNM‡‡,.?„ 0.=+
!@#$%^&()_<>\‚‚ 789/
ƒqwertyuiop[]{} 456*
…asdfghjkl;:'"„ 123-
††zxcvbnm‡‡,.?„ 0.=+
¡©£€‰`~()—«»|‚‚ 789÷
ƒQWERTYUIOP²³½¼ 456×
…ASDFGHJKL;:'"„ 123•
††ZXCVBNM‡‡,.¿„ 0,¤±
#enddef
KbdDef BigSpaces 2 :
KbdDef BigSpaces 2
Big Space Keys 2
!Kbd Def:
#define
!@#$%^&()_=<>‚‚ 789/
ƒQWERTYUIOP[]{} 456*
…ASDFGHJKL'"?\„ 123-
††ZXCVBNM‡‡‡,.„ 0.=+
!@#$%^&()_=<>‚‚ 789/
ƒqwertyuiop[]{} 456*
…asdfghjkl'"?\„ 123-
††zxcvbnm‡‡‡,.„ 0.=+
¡©£€‰`~()—°«»‚‚ 789÷
ƒQWERTYUIOP²³½¼ 456×
…ASDFGHJKL'"¿|„ 123•
††ZXCVBNM‡‡‡;:„ 0,¤±
#enddef
KbdDef Frequency English1 :
KbdDef Frequency English1
!Kbd Def:
#define
!@#$%^&()_=<>‚‚ 789/
ZVCFTAYHWK[]{}\ 456*
ƒGDINELSBP;:'"„ 123-
…†QJUORMX‡‡,.?„ 0.„+
!@#$%^&()_=<>‚‚ 789/
zvcftayhwk[]{}\ 456*
ƒgdinelsbp;:'"„ 123-
…†qjuormx‡‡,.?„ 0.„+
!@#€ˆ~`()—=<>‚‚ 789/
ZVCFTAYHWK[]{}| 456*
ƒGDINELSBP;:'"„ 123-
…†QJUORMX‡‡,.?„ 0.„+
#enddef
††1234567890.‡‡ ‚ƒ…„
KbdDef BigSpaceKeys :
KbdDef BigSpaceKeys
!Kbd Def:
#define
~!@#$%^&()_=<>‚ 789/
ƒQWERTYUIOP[]{} 456*
…ASDFGHJKL;:'"\ 123-
††ZXCVBNM‡‡,.?„ 0.„+
~!@#$%^&()_=<>‚ 789/
ƒqwertyuiop[]{} 456*
…asdfghjkl;:'"\ 123-
††zxcvbnm‡‡,.?„ 0.„+
~!@#$%^&()_=<>‚ 789/
ƒQWERTYUIOP[]{} 456*
…ASDFGHJKL;:'"| 123-
††ZXCVBNM‡‡,.?„ 0.„+
#enddef
KbdDef ExtraLargeCtrls1 :
KbdDef ExtraLargeCtrls1
Extra large ctrl keys
!Kbd Def:
#define
~!@#$%^&(_=<>‚‚ 789/
QWERTYUIOP[{'"\ 456*
ƒASDFGHJKL;:?„„ 123-
…††ZXCVBNM‡‡‡,. 0.„+
~!@#$%^&(_=<>‚‚ 789/
qwertyuiop[{'"\ 456*
ƒasdfghjkl;:?„„ 123-
…††zxcvbnm‡‡‡,. 0.„+
¡©£€‰`~()—°«»‚‚ 789÷
QWERTYUIOP]}'"| 456×
ƒASDFGHJKL;:?„„ 123•
…††ZXCVBNM‡‡‡,. 0,¤±
#enddef
KbdDef ExtraLargeCtrls2 :
KbdDef ExtraLargeCtrls2
Extra large ctrl keys
!Kbd Def:
#define
~!@#$%^&(_=<>‚‚ 789/
QWERTYUIOP[{'"\ 456*
ƒASDFGHJKL,.;:„ 123-
…††ZXCVBNM‡‡‡?„ 0.„+
~!@#$%^&(_=<>‚‚ 789/
qwertyuiop[{'"\ 456*
ƒasdfghjkl,.;:„ 123-
…††zxcvbnm‡‡‡?„ 0.„+
~!@#$%^&)_=<>‚‚ 789/
QWERTYUIOP]}'"| 456*
ƒASDFGHJKL,.;:„ 123-
…††ZXCVBNM‡‡‡?„ 0.„+
#enddef
KbdDef English Std :
KbdDef English Std
!!F5
ABC_Kbd Def:
#define
!@#$%^&()_=<>‚‚ 789/
QWERTYUIOP[]{}\ 456*
ƒASDFGHJKL;:'"„ 123-
…†ZXCVBNM‡‡,.?„ 0.=+
!@#$%^&()_=<>‚‚ 789/
qwertyuiop[]{}\ 456*
ƒasdfghjkl;:'"„ 123-
…†zxcvbnm‡‡,.?„ 0.=+
¡©£€‰`~()—°«»‚‚ 789÷
QWERTYUIOP²³½¼| 456×
ƒASDFGHJKL;:'"„ 123•
…†ZXCVBNM‡‡,.¿„ 0,¤±
#enddef
KbdDef German Std :
KbdDef German Std
!!F5
ABC_Kbd Def:
#define
!"#$%^&()=ß?\'‚ 789/
QWERTZUIOPÜ[]{} 456*
ƒASDFGHJKLÖÄ;:@ 123-
…†YXCVBNM‡‡,._„ 0.=+
!"#$%^&()=ß?\'‚ 789/
qwertzuiopü[]{} 456*
ƒasdfghjklöä;:@ 123-
…†yxcvbnm‡‡,._„ 0.=+
!"#$%^&()=ß?\'‚ 789÷
QWERTZUIOPÜ[]{} 456×
ƒASDFGHJKLÖÄ;:@ 123•
…†YXCVBNM‡‡,._„ 0,¤±
#enddef
KbdDef Std&Colaps&Finger :
KbdDef Std&Colaps&Finger
Standard,Colapsed,Big,Finger
ABC_Kbd Def:
#define
!@#$%^&()_=<>‚‚ 789/
QWERTYUIOP[]{}\ 456*
ƒASDFGHJKL;:'"„ 123-
…†ZXCVBNM‡‡,.?„ 0.=+
††1234567890.‡‡ „ƒ…‚
!@#$%^&()_=<>‚‚ 789/
qwertyuiop[]{}\ 456*
ƒasdfghjkl;:'"„ 123-
…†zxcvbnm‡‡,.?„ 0.=+
††1234567890.‡‡ „ƒ…‚
¡©£€‰`~()—°«»‚‚ 789÷
QWERTYUIOP²³½¼| 456×
ƒASDFGHJKL;:'"„ 123•
…†ZXCVBNM‡‡,.¿„ 0,¤±
††1234567890.‡‡ „ƒ…‚
1(2)3‚‚
4[5]6{*}……
7@8$9:-%ƒƒ
0#.,=\+&„„
abcdefgh‚‚
ijklmnop……
qrstuvwxƒƒ
yz,.!?‡‡„„
ABCDEFGH‚‚
IJKLMNOP……
QRSTUVWXƒƒ
YZ,.!?‡‡„„
#enddef
KbdDef Dvorak :
KbdDef Dvorak
!!F5
ABC_Kbd Def:
#define
~!@#$%^&*(){}‚‚ 789/
ƒ',.PYFGCRL/=\? 456*
…AOEUIDHTNS-<>„ 123-
††;QJKXBMWVZ‡‡„ 0.„+
~!@#$%^&*(){}‚‚ 789/
ƒ',.pyfgcrl/=\? 456*
…aoeuidhtns-<>„ 123-
††;qjkxbmwvz‡‡„ 0.„+
`1234567890[]‚‚ 789/
ƒ"<>PYFGCRL?+?? 456*
…AOEUIDHTNS_<>„ 123-
††:QJKXBMWVZ‡‡„ 0.„+
#enddef
Dvorak keyboard layouts are based on designs created by August Dvorak, a professor at the University of Washington during the 1930s and 1940s.
Dr. Dvorak studied the way people type standard English, and determined the most common letter combinations. He then designed new keyboard layouts to speed up typing and reduce fatigue.
These layouts, now called Dvorak or simplified keyboards, were initially developed for two-handed typists.
Following World War II, Dvorak layouts were developed for typists who use the right or left hand alone.
License :
License :
License
ABCTextPack End User License Agreement (EULA)
Read This Carefully Before Installing The Software!
This agreement applies to the (SOFTWARE PRODUCT) which is the "ABCTextPack" ("ABCPack") application or any variant of it as listed in the following product list:
"ABC Docs",
"ABC Diary",
"ABC Journal",
"ABC Memos",
"ABC Notes",
"ABC Pack",
"ABC Private",
"ABC Safe",
"ABC SysInfo",
"ABC Treo".
For any product from the list a separate license is issued.
THIS IS A LEGAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU (either an individual or a single entity) AND BINAR d.o.o.. (BINAR). BY INSTALLING OR USING THE SOFTWARE YOU CONSENT TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY DELETE ALL YOUR COPIES OF THIS SOFTWARE PRODUCT.
GRANT:
======
Depending on the SOFTWARE PRODUCT release (as stated on the "About" screen of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT), this license is provided as:
(1) ALPHA-RELEASE TEST PERIOD LICENSE: BINAR grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, worldwide license to use a single copy of the ALPHA-RELEASE SOFTWARE PRODUCT free of charge for the purpose of testing, having fun and/or evaluating whether to purchase an ongoing license to use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. This free alpha testing period license for use by or on behalf of a commercial entity or for personal use expires on (31.Oct 2005). You agree that the Alpha-Release Versions are not suitable for production use and may contain errors affecting their proper operation.
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==============
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Manual :
Treo 6xx version :
Treo 6xx version
This is a slightly adapted version of the original ABCTextPack product.
It's a special release configured to better support the Treo's 5-way navigator and VFS card. As Treos have their built-in keyboards, some kbd modes (namely BigKey and FingerKey keyboards) are left out.
There is a special "5-way Select Enhancement" mode as well (activated by pressing "Shift" key + 5-way navig buttons).
"ShortSkew" keyboard treshold is increased from 3 to 5 pixels as an adjustment to the smaller Treo screen size.
Some of the "LongSkew" keyboard skews are impossible to draw, as there is no silkscreen area on the T6xx PDA.
Password entry form keyboard is left out too, becouse with T6xx-s one can use the built-in kbd to enter password easily..
Except for this, there are no important differences between this and the standard full ABCTextPack version.
Treo 5way navigator & ctrls :
Treo 5way navigator & ctrls
LAUNC BUTTON :
----------------
Note: The ex. "MemoPad" button is by default assigned the "Power" or "Display on/off" function on T6xx series PDA. As this function is actually doubled on the power button, it can be reassigned to the "MemoPad" or "ABCTextPack" apps without the significant loss of functionality (especially when combined with auto power-off function).
If a button is redefined to launch the ABCTextPack app, then it can be used to:
1. start ABCTextPack app
2. end edit (as with the "Done" button)
3. open category select list
4. open folder select list
5. switch (1)/(2) twin windows (press shift+key)
6. start an "InstantMemo" in MemoPad's "Unfiled" folder (press and hold)
It's really beneficial to assign a button to launch this app. It can be done the standard way, using Palm's "Prefs" application, or you can use the AbcTextPack's "Set Launch Button" option under the "App" submenu.
Actually any of the four buttons can be assigned to the ABCTextPack app using "Prefs", while the "Set Launch Button" option will set the rightmost button only!
FOLDER SCREEN:
---------------
Pressing Shift+letter key will open a Preset Memo instantly if it's defined for a key pressed (a memo can be preset using the "Set Preset Memo" option of Edit View Menu).
"Space" = go to preset memo dialog
ctrl+Left = edit folder properties
MEMO LIST SCREEN:
(and FOLDER SCREEN when applicable):
---------------------------------
Up = Line Up (previous memo)
Down = Line Down (next memo)
Left = Page Up
Right = Page Down
Center = Open current memo/folder
ctrl+Up = Page Up
ctrl+Down = Page Down
"Space" = Open a new memo
"Enter" = Open current memo
ctrl+"Enter" = select/deselect memo
shift+"Enter" = select/deselect memo and move down
"Backspace" = Last recently used memos list
Pressing any letter key will jump to the first memo starting with this letter if memos are sorted alphabetically.
EDIT SCREEN:
---------
ABCTextPack Edit form operates in two navigation modes: Browse & Edit
BROWSE MODE ("B"):
Up = Page Up
Down = Page Down
Left = Previous memo in category
Right = Next memo in category
Center = Switch to Edit ("E") mode
EDIT MODE ("E"):
Up = Line Up
Down = Line Down
Left =Char left
Right = Char right
Center = Opens the Menu
ctrl+Up = Page Up
ctrl+Down = Page Down
ctrl+Left = Previous word
ctrl+Right = Next word
!!shift starts the special "select" mode:
shift+Up = Select previous line (up to \n)
shift+Down = Select next line
shift+Left = Select previous word
shift+Right = Select next word
Del = Delete left char
ctrl+Del = Delete right char
ABCTextPack Solution :
ABCTextPack Solution
!!B°
°THE GOAL
ABCTextPack is an app suite (distributed either as a full package or as separate apps) that provides fast and comfortable text entry system and an easy and capable way of storing and organizing relatively large number of small texts.
As added benefit, there are larger individual text size and additional features such as encryption and expansion-card support.
It's mainly intended for those of us who use this funny little devices (Palms) as an extended memory. It's simple and effective.
It really extends the built-in MemoPad functionality using what we call a graphically simple text-based interface:)
It is not a word processor app and has no MSWord or similar desktop app compatibility, but it's memos can be edited easily on a desktop system using a simple NotePad type app (even using MSWord in txt mode if necessary).
°X CATEGORIES
ABCTextPack provides a means to better organize your notes.
Instead of having only 15 categories to categorize your memos in MemoPad, ABCTextPack offers you a possibility to create unlimited number of folders with 15 categories each. (Please note that some of these folders are preassigned a special use in ABCTextPack).
°28K NOTES
ABCTextPack provides for 28000 chars text size (abt 7 times larger then the built-in MemoPad). This applies to all folders except for the "Memo Pad" folder, which accepts only the standard 4K MemoPad memos.
Although, the 28000 characters long text might be a bit too long to be useful on a screen that can display only up to 9 lines at a time, you may find texts of up to 10000 characters being quite manageable using ABCTextPack on your Palm device.
ABCTextPack provides some means to facilitate large memo navigation, as moving by line or block of text, automatic bookmarking and 10 text markers (jump locations).
(note that 10.000 chars mounts to about 30 screenfulls using standard Palm font size)
You may also find useful dividing a long text into individual chapters (like this manual is) that can then be easily browsed using ABCTextPack Prev/Next buttons.
°VFS SUPPORT
Various modes of external memory card support is built in
°ALTERED DEFAULTS
We have decided not to mimic exactly the MemoPad's default behaviour so notes will not scroll to the previous/next one when KeyUp/Down is pressed at the top/bottom of the text.
If you have many times inadvertently changed the memo's category while you were actually only trying to go to a different category, now you will notice that this option is missing entirely from the editing window.
ABCTextPack remembers the last insert position between editing sessions.
ABCTextPack introduces the concept of "Folders". This will help you to better organize your memos.
ABCTextPack categories are defined and maintained for each folder separately, and there are no default "Business" & "Personal" categories (only "Unfiled" is predefined).
°UNIQUE FEATURES
ABCTextPack has built in twin view feature with "pane 1" and "pane 2", of which only one is visible at a time.
Ctrl+Backspace executes "Delete" operation (delete to the right)
etc. etc...
ABCTextPack Keyboard :
ABCTextPack Keyboard
..and... there is a keyboard:
It's a fully programmable on-screen keyboard that can be easily modified (and switched off if necessary).
If you have ever tried to enter some bigger portions of text into your Palm MemoPad, you have certainly noticed that it's not best suited for the task. Sure, you can buy and attach an add-on keyboard but there is another solution, sometimes even more practical: the on-screen keyboard!
The idea is to display an on-screen keyboard with as many keys permanently shown as possible, while not cluttering a large part of the Palm screen.
As the result, ABCTextPack apps utilize an on-screen keyboard that covers no more then two additional screen rows compared to the original Palm's MemoPad (showing 9 instead of 11 rows of Standard font size text).
The individual keys ARE very small - both to keep the keyboard small and to minimize pen travel while typing.
Because of such a small key size, good screen calibration is essential.
Check & correct it using your Palm's "Prefs" application (you can find it in "System" category) and check the "Troubleshoot" section in this documentation! On a small screen like the ones the PalmOne Treo devices have, you may find it easier to calibrate using a sharp pin of a toothpick or similar object.
For some of the control keys you can make them appear bigger on the on-screen keyboard, by placing two or even three (right-space) of them in adjacent positions of the keyboard matrix. Such a design results in somewhat strange looking but more practical keyboard.
This versatile on-screen keyboard works in parallel with standard Palm Graffiti and PopUp keyboard, as well as with other virtual keyboard alternatives (with stickers or without) or the Treo built-in keyboards, external keyboards and alike.
If your Palm device has no built-in keyboard then comparing to an add-on keyboard this alternative has some advantages. It's always available (at least when you carry your Palm with you??) and in some situations, it may be more suitable then unfolding a bigger plug-in external keyboard.
Comparing to stickers solutions, this one has the advantage of having a fully programmable layout (and being much cheaper too). There is an obvious disadvantage that it only works in ABCTextPack. However, memos & notes are probably the place where you'll type the most on your Palm.
PalmOne Treo users may prefer using their built-in keyboard for entering all but longest texts, and even then, they will have to choose between benefits of somewhat larger unoccupied screen area and flexibility of the ABC keyboard.
It's not hard to get used to type on this small keyboard. After using it for a while, you'll probably be missing it in dialogs and other apps. There are several popup keyboard alternatives available for the Palm platform.
With little practice using the ABCTextPack keyboard, one can achieve text input speeds comparable and faster to what a one-finger typist at a typewriter can do (it's not bad for a few inch device).
tip: For best typing performance it's recommended to take a firm grip of your Palm, or to lay it down on a flat and stable surface when you intend to type a larger portion of text.
tip: with it's small key size the on-screen keyboard is certainly not intended for blind typing. For this, you should refer to MemoEase or similar software solutions.
tip: you can adjust various keyboard options (stroke sensitivity, autorepeat rate, keyclick, stroke configuration etc.) using the "Preferences" option under the "Kbd" submenu.
Note: Some advanced features like 10 big clipboards, macros etc are only available when the on-screen keyboard is displayed!
Feature List :
Feature List
Although ABCTextPack's main four features alone (keyboard, 28K memo size, unlimited number of categories and VFS support) would make it a good replacement for the built-in MemoPad application, it is packed with added features like:
- Several operations that will treat entire category of memos as a unit
- Cut, copy & paste between categories with multiple memo select option
- Special "Browse" navigation mode
- Last recently used list
- Fast switching twin view (to edit two memos simultaneously)
- Fast font selection button
- Two built-in fixed size fonts and one small size proportional font
- Underline selection
- Auto-indent option
- Enhanced navigation (by line, by block, by paragraph)
- Select enhancement using Shift key in 5-way Treo mode
- Block uppercasing / lowercasing / 1stCaps
- Delete left/right
- Combination (multiple) characters
- Macro recording/scripting
- Templates (two sets of 60)
- Automatic & manual bookmarks
- Password protected memos with two scrambling and one 128bit strong encryption choice
- 10 32K clipboards (no 1K limit!)
- ASCII table with paste option
- Tiny calculator with hex and paste option
- Date selector with paste option
- Non-cryptic memo titles (x of y)
- Fast Previous memo/Next memo navigation buttons
- QuickMemo (instant memo) feature
- Category/folder export to PalmDoc
- Memo to VFS save-as/load
- Category export to VFS
- Memo to VFS automatic/manual shadowing & reloading
- Memo info (size/lines/word count)
- Category info (chrs/lines/words)
- Folder info (rec.counts)
- Powerful search & replace that works on a category level as well
- Phone lookup, kbd & graffiti help
- DOS/Windows text download tool with export to TXT and HTML
- (0-9) on-screen keyboard preset memos & (A-Z) in-folder quick access preset keys
- QuickJump to text marks (0-9)
- Memo backup (to "~name" memo)
- Folder backup to VFS card
- Deleted records purge/salvage
- Cut/Copy/Paste/etc icons in keyboard off mode
- Optional 16 Function keys row in keyboard mode
- External applications launch list
- Quick (instant) memo feature
Available in beta only:
- Journaling/Diary mode
- Log memos (date/time stamped)
- Basic PalmDoc info/browse & Doc2Memo import/export support
- Folders and VFS support :
- Folders and VFS support
Instead of a single memo database, the built-in Memo Pad provides, with ABCTextPack app you can create the unlimited number of memo databases (here called "Folders") with 16 categories in each of them.
Folders can be assigned global properties, such as: automatic shadowing and/or reloading of memos, journalling or date/time stamping (log) modes and password protection levels.
Two levels of password protection can be activated on the folder level:
- "Scramble2" level with medium protection and 20 minutes password timeout
- 128 bit full "Encryption" level with strong protection and 6 seconds password timeout
A folder can be backuped to the VFS expansion card (SD/MMC...) and restored if necessary
(This option will backup/restore the entire folder as a unit with all memos and categories).
- Categories operations :
- Categories operations
Several advanced features are available that operate on the entire category.
Note: If a feature operates on the entire category it can always be applied to a folder as a whole, by selecting the "All" category.
In the category view there is a handy feature of multiple memo selection. Selected memos can be Cut/Copy/Pasted between categories, deleted or beamed.
Export/import functions:...
- QuickMemo :
- QuickMemo
QuickMemo (Instant memo) feature is activated when you press and hold the "ABCTextPack" assigned hard key for about a second.
QuickMemo is a date/time stamped memo automatically created in MemoPad's "Unfiled" category.
QuickMemo uses the "LargeBold" font by default.
Font / status button shows small "q" when a new QuickMemo is created.
If you wish to dismiss a newly created QuickMemo without it being actually stored in the MemoPad folder, just wait for another second and then press the hard key again.
Note: QuickMemo feature is only available if one of device's hard keys is assigned to ABCTextPack application!
Note: QuickMemo can't be activated from outside of ABCTextPack app in Alpha, Beta releases, due to a splash screen that pops up every time this app is started. In those releases, QuickMemo is available from within an ABCTextPack application only.
Note: the easiest way to later dispatch this quick-taken memos to their belonging folders and categories, is by using memo cut&paste combined with the twin view feature.
List View Options :
List View Options
#!!B•
On the list view screen, one will find the following:
- memo title
- folder selector
- category selector
- last recently used list selector
- twin view switch 1/2
- list of memos on the current folder
- selected memos counter and
- cut/copy/paste/delete/beam icons
• Memo Title
Depending on the current preference setting, this may be a memo title (1st line of the memo) or just a memo sequence number/total memos number
• Folder Selector
Selecting this control will open a Folder list where one can select/create/edit memo databases (called "Folders" in this app).
• Category Selector
This selector may be unavailable in some folders where it's not applicable.
• LRU (Last Recently Used List)
The up arrow in the upper-right corner of the screen invokes LRU list with up to 12 last recently used memos.
ABCTextPack keeps a single list for both view panes, so you can open LRU memos in whatever pane is currently active.
LRU will open a memo at the edit position remembered from the previous edit session.
When a memo is opened the standard way (from the list of memos, then, if it appears in LRU list it's LRU insert position is used as a starting position instead of the position 0.
• Fast Switching Twin View
ABCTextPack maintains two panes with two (virtually) parallel editing sessions.
In the far upper-right corner of the screen there is a "1"/"2" mark which you can press to quickly switch between one of two ABCTextPack panes.
Both panes can be set in either list or edit mode independently. When they are set to the same mode, you can use cut & paste options to copy a block of text easily between two memos or to move one or more memos between folders and/or categories.
You can change Font, Underline and AutoIndent attributes for each pane separately.
• Multiple Memo Manipulation
In the ABCTextPack list view, each memo title is preceeded with a small check box. You can check this box to select a memo for an operation. The total number of memos selected is shown at the bottom of the display ("Sel:"). The maximum number of memos you can select at once depends on implementation and is usually about 20.
The selected memos can be deleted, beamed, or cut/copied into a clipboard. Memos already in clipboard can be inserted (w. paste option) in the current folder / category.
tip: You can select memos by pressing the Enter key or press alt+Enter which moves cursor down as well
tip: Combined with ABCTextPacks fast switching twin view, this feature offers an interesting possibility of moving easily several memos at once from one category to another using cut&paste.
Warning!: Memos cut to clipboard are actually taken out from the current folder, so if you forget to paste them afterwards, they might just get lost forever! (Note: Such a memo can't be salvaged either!)
Warning: You can't add some more memos to memos already in clipboard, as every time you perform a copy or cut operation the previous clipboard contents is cleared.
Warning: memos once pasted from clipboard are no longer available to paste them again (it's unlikely that you will want this anyway) as this approach saves some of the precious Palm memory.
• Memo Enumeration
In the List View Preferences one can set weather the memos shown in the list will be enumerated or just the memo title will be shown.
• Folder Info
This menu option provides information about total / active and deleted records count.
If "Save archive copy" checkbox is checked during a delete operation, then the deleted memo is not actually removed from a folder but is marked deleted and unavailable instead.
Such memos will appear in deleted records count and will be permanently removed from the folder when HotSync operation occurs.
Note that at present, only the "MemoPad" folder is maintained automatically via the Palm conduit. For all other folders you will have to provide deleted records maintenance yourself by activating the "Purge" option periodically.
• Purge Deleted Records
This option will permanently remove all records marked as deleted from the CURRENT folder.
• Category Info
This option provides a NonSpace characters, word count and lines count for the entire category.
tip: you can use this option to calculate statistics for a booklet that consists of several memos / chapters.
tip: you can calculate statistics for the entire folder by selecting the "All" category
tip: if you need a non-space chars count for a single memo you can copy this memo to a empty category and get a "Category info" report, as "Memo info" option reports total memo size including newline characters and spaces.
Edit View Options :
Edit View Options
#!!B•
On the editing view screen, one will find the following:
- memo title
- previous/next memo buttons
- graffiti state indicator
- font/underline/indent & status button
- Done button
- automatic bookmarks list selector
- twin view switch
- text editing area w. scrollbar
- keyboard area
ABCTextPack operates in "Browse" or "Edit" modes that differ slightly in navigation. The Edit state is indicated with letter "E" in the font selector button and Browse state is indicated with empty font selector button.
Modes are changed automatically depending on the keys pressed or manually using the appropriate menu option or by selecting "Browse" option on the font select popdown list.
• Memo Title
Depending on the current preference setting this may be a short memo title or just a memo sequence number/total memos number
• Previous / Next buttons
(Left/Right arrows) Pressing them switches quickly to the previous or next memo in the current category. (It will stop at the first or last memo in the category)
This feature can be handy when searching for a particular memo.
In ABCTreo app left/right keys can be used to perform the same function in Browse mode.
If you really have to enter a memo larger than say 10000 characters you can split it to several consecutive memos (containing chapters or pages) and the prev/next buttons can be used to browse such a "multipart" memo.
• Font Button
The font selector button is designated several functions in ABCTextPack. Pressing it opens a font selection list (Palm standard fonts and ABCTextPack predefined fonts). At the top of the list there is a "Browse" option. At the bottom of the list there is an "Underline" option which selects / unselects text underlining and an "AutoIndent" option which toggles auto indenting.
The same button doubles as a navigation mode / status indicator changing from "B" to "E" when navigation mode changes from Browse to Edit. It shows "q" in QuickMemo. When auto indent is turned on the Font/Indent button label changes from "E" to "I", serving as an auto-indent indicator.
• Done Button
The Done button is another button that serves a dual function in ABCTextPack's editing window. It exits a current memo when pressed (the memo contents is automatically saved) and it serves as a Macro recording indicator. When a macro recording is in process, the title of the "Done" button changes to "Macr". You can stop macro recording by pressing the Done/Macro button or by performing a MacroRecordingStop keyboard command (LongDragUpRight on the EnterKey).
• Automatic bookmarks
Only a small amount of text can be displayed at one time on the tiny Palm screen, making it difficult to find where you are in a large memo. There the ABCTextPack automatic bookmarking comes in handy.
Pressing the down arrow (in the top right screen corner) displays the bookmark list.
ABCTextPack automatically generates a bookmark list of up to 50 entries depending on the following conditions:
- if there is a word (or part of the text) selected in memo, then this selection is used as a bookmark search string
- if there is no selection, then either default or user defined bookmark is used
- bookmark search string may be set as any text of up to 10 chars in length, or any of the predefined chars you can select on the "Bookmark settings" dialog. This dialog can be found at the end of the bookmark list.
- tip: the "\n\n" bookmark will find every double line spacing (a single or more empty lines between paragraphs) - useful for source codes and other unformatted texts
- tip: single char bookmarks are easily entered at the beginning of the paragraph as they are by default preprogrammed in the on-screen keyboard as UpShifting "-" (•) and "=" (¤) keys
- tip: selecting a word and performing a bookmark search is the easiest way of finding all occurrences of a particular word.
- tip: bookmark char can be defined for a particular memo using the bookmark flag (!!Bx) in the 2nd memo line.
• Fast Switching Twin View
ABCTextPack maintains two panes with two (virtually) parallel editing sessions.
In the far upper-right corner of the screen there is a "1"/"2" mark which you can press to quickly switch between the two ABCTextPack's panes.
Both panes can be set in either list or edit mode independently. When they are set to the same mode, you can use cut & paste options to copy a block of text easily between two memos or to move one or more memos between categories.
You can change Font, Underline and AutoIndent attributes for each pane separately.
• GoTo Line Number
This menu option provides a quick way to jump to the selected line by entering a line number (useful to trace compiler error messages).
• Memo Backup
This menu option provides a quick and simple way to make a backup copy of the CURRENT memo.
Backup is created in the current folder / category with a current memo name preceded by the "~" character.
You are allowed to make more than one backup copy if necessary.
• Category change
There is no Category popup in ABCTextPack's Edit View. To change category a memo belongs to, use the "Details" option under "Text" menu, or use powerful Cut & Paste buttons in List View.
Flags and special actions :
Flags and special actions
FLAG LINE (1st & 2nd line)
If the "Check memo for flags" check box is checked in the Edit View Preferences dialog, ABCTextPack will check 1st and 2nd memo line for flags.
Flags are specified with two "!!"-es followed by one or more chars specifying the flag and flag options. (for example the "!!S" specifies a "Scrambled2" i.e. password protected memo).
The following flags are recognized by ABCTextPack:
!!S - password scrambled memo (mode 2)
!!RO - read only memo
!!GB - go to bottom on memo open
!!LD - insert date on memo open (log)
!!LT - insert time on memo open (log)
!!LDT - insert date&time on memo open (log)
!!Ux - force open in underline x where:
- 0=underline off
- 1=underline on
!!Fx - force open in font x where x:
- 0=standard
- 1=bold
- 2=large
- 3=large bold
- 4=proportional 5x9
- 5=fixed 5x9
- 6=fixed 4x6
!!Ix - force open in auto indent mode
x where:
- 0=auto indent off
- 1=auto indent on
!!Bx - force bookmark to char (x)
Flags can also be specified for the entire category by incorporating them in the category name (for example:
"MyCat !!GB").
You may want to attach them at the end of the category name (as in previous example), but beware of the 15 chars category name length limit!
Note: You should not mark a MemoPad memo as Scrambled2 or Encrypted using !!S or !!E flags in the 2nd line bcs such a memo might be improperly HotSync-ed.
Keyboard :
Keyboard
#!!B¤
¤ KEYBOARD MODES
The programmable on-screen keyboard is available in three modes:
• Standard keyboard:
consists of alpha and numeric keyboards with four rows of keys each.
You can apply a simple tap to get the corresponding character inserted into memo, or you can apply any of the 16 different strokes/skews to get different upper/lower characters, combination characters and perform various editing actions.
The following kbd modes are not available in the ABCTreo release:
• Collapsed keyboard:
consists of a single row of numeric and control keys (you can switch between standard and collapsed kbd by simply pressing the C4 key)
• Expanded keyboard:
consists of 36 big keys suitable for typing in low visibility conditions. If you have (really) small fingers, or like to have longer nails, you may want to try typing without using the Palm stylus.
Expanded keyboard is switched on automatically when you enter the QuickNotes. You can switch to the expanded keyboard manually by applying LongUp skew to the C4 key. Applying long press to "Enter" key switches back to the standard keyboard.
• FingerTyping keyboard:
consists of 20 big keys suitable for single finger typing. You can switch to this keyboard by applying LongDown skew to the C4 key.
Applying long press to the "Enter" key switches back to the standard keyboard.
¤ SKEWS
To each of the keyboard keys in standard or collapsed kbd mode you can apply a tap or any of the 16 possible skews by tapping a key and dragging the stylus to some of the following directions:
- up, down, left, right
- upLeft, upRight, downLeft, downRight
To double the number of possible strokes all those skews may be applied as a short or a long skew.
You can redefine what actions will correspond to each skew, and what the threshold will be used for distinguishing short from long skews in the "Keyboard preferences dialog" available from ABCTextPack EditView menu.
¤ CONTROL KEYS
There are 6 special keys defined in the on-screen keyboard. Various control functions are activated by applying different pen strokes (skews) to these keys.
• Enter Key
Besides of standard "NewLine" function, this key is assigned a Macro-record start, Macro-record stop, Macro-insert and Macro-play functions.
Left/Right skews insert various characters (spaces, tab, dash, or enumerate mark) at the beginning of the new line.
• Backspace Key
The only extra function of this key is a "delete to the right of cursor" function activated with DragRigt stroke.
(Note that you can perform a very useful "delete with replace" operation by LeftDrag any key.)
• Tab Key
Inserts a horizontal tabulation character
• UpperCase Key
Toggles UpCase lock on/off and performs block Uppercasing, Lowercasing and 1stUpper operations on the currently selected block of text.
• Left Space Key
Is a "space" key and is designated search & editing functions:
- Cut/Copy/Paste/Undo key
- Select All key
- Find, FindPrev, FindNext key
• Right Space Key
Is a "space" key and a "navigation" key:
- Move Up, Down, Left, Right
- Move by block, paragraph & page
- Go to Top or End of text
You can find the detailed list of possible strokes and their effects in the next chapter of this manual.
- Control keys :
- Control keys
#!!B•
There are so many different combinations available (some of them even duplicated), that it may be little difficult to remember them all, so at least, choose the ones you will use the most...
Here are all of them:
•BackSpace Key :
- Tap = delete char left
- ShortDrag:
Left = delete char left
Right = delete char right
- LongDrag:
Right = delete to end of line
•Tab Key:
- Tap = horizontal tab
- ShortDrag:
Right = \n + "-" + space
DownLeft = \n + horiz.tabulator
DownRight = \n + 2 spaces
•Capslock Key:
- Tap = capslock on/off
- ShortDrag:
Up = uppercase selection
Down = lowercase selection
UpLeft = capitalize selection
•Enter Key:
- Tap etc = LineFeed
- ShortDrag:
Right = \n + 2 spaces
Left = \n + "-" + space
DownLeft = LineFeed
- LongDrag:
Right = \n + horiz.tabulator
Left = \n + prgph + space
Down = AutoIndentEnter
DownLeft = AutoIndentDecrease
DownRight = AutoIndentIncrease
UpLeft = macro record start
UpRight = macro record stop
Up = insert macro text
•LeftSpace Key:
- Tap = space
- Short&Long Drag:
Left = cut
Up = copy
Down = paste
UpLeft = select all
DownLeft = undo change
Right = find&replace
UpRight = find previous
DownRight = find next
•RightSpace Key:
- Tap = space
- ShortDrag:
Up = up
Down = down
Left = left
Right = right
UpRight = page up
DownRight = page down
UpLeft = prev. paragraph
DownLeft = next. paragraph
- LongDrag:
Up = previous line (\n)
Down = next line (\n)
Left = previous word
Right = next word
UpRight = page up
DownRight = page down
UpLeft = text start
DownLeft = text end
- Command and Function Keys :
- Command and Function Keys
However small the on-screen keyboard may be, it's equipped with two sets of "function keys".
The vertical set of keys is called "Command keys". These are the four small black regions between alpha and numeric keyboard areas, (the top most one being the C1 key). Those keys are always both visible and usable when the standard keyboard layout is displayed.
The horizontal set of keys is called "Function keys". These are the 16 small black regions below alpha and numeric keyboard areas, (the leftmost one being the F1 key). When you see them, you may rather call them "function dots"! Those keys are only visible and usable when the "Show Function Keys" checkbox is checked in EditViewPreferences dialog.
C&F keys functions:
C1-C2 command keys:
• C1: ASCII Table
Pressing C1 key displays an ASCII table from which a selected char may be inserted at the current editing position by pressing the "Paste" button. If no char is selected, or if the "Cancel" button is pressed, then the ASCII form simply closes. The "Code" button displays in decimal the currently selected chars ASCII code.
• C2: The tiny calculator
Pressing C2 starts a tiny fixed-point calculator that performs more or less in the standard fashion. Pressing the "Paste" button inserts the displayed value into the current memo. Pressing the "Hx" button converts a displayed decimal value to Hex format. Hex values can be entered by prefixing value with a "#" symbol.
Warning! This is a very simple fixed-point calculator (w. 2 dec places) that will work correctly with numbers up to a 1,000,000. Make a result bigger than that and you'll get garbage (note that calc will not complain about a number being to big!).
• C3: The Calendar
Pressing C3 starts the standard Palm calendar dialog from which you can insert a selected date into a current memo by tapping a date number. Pressing the "Today" button inserts a current date and pressing the "Cancel" button simply quits.
• C4: Keyboard mode selector
Pressing C4 when the standard on-screen keyboard is fully displayed (4 rows of keys) switches to the collapsed keyboard consisting of a single row of number keys with some control keys. This collapsed keyboard makes some additional screen space available to display a few more memo lines.
Applying a LongUp skew will switch to the big 36 keys keyboard, while applying a LongDown skew will switch to the 20 keys Finger-Typing keyboard.
F1-F16 function keys:
It's easiest to remember that F-keys under the alpha keyboard are movement/find keys, while F-keys under numeric keyboard are cut/copy/paste/undo keys.
• F1: Previous paragraph
• F2: Previous line
• F3: GoTo dialog
• F4: Next line
• F5: Next paragraph
• F6: Up
• F7: Down
• F8: Left
• F9: Right
• F10: Find prev
• F11: Find dialog
• F12: Find next
• F13: cut
• F14: copy
• F15: paste
• F16: undo
- Clipboards :
- Clipboards
Numeric keys 0-9 Short Up/Down skews perform as the ABCTextPack 10 extra clipboard keys. (The LeftSpace key utilizes the standard Palm clipboard with 1KB storage capacity).
Applying ShortUp skew to a numeric key copies the currently selected text to a corresponding clipboard.
Applying ShortDown skew inserts clipboard text at the current insert position.
ABCTextPack clipboards do not have the Palm's standard 1K storage limit.
- Macro Recorder :
- Macro Recorder
Sometimes you will have to perform an action that consist of series of strokes and repeat it several times. This is where the ABCTextPack macro recorder comes in handy. Using it, you can record a series of strokes and replay it many times, or even store it for replay later.
• Start Recording
Macro recording is started with the "MacroRecordingStart" keyboard command (LongDragUpLeft EnterKey). How many strokes can by recorded depends on implementation and is usually about 20 for a single macro sequence.
While recording is active, the "Done" button displays the "Macr" text.
• Stop recording
Recording is stopped when you repeat the StartRecording stroke, when you press the "Macr" (Done) button, or when you press the "MacroRecordingStop" keyboard command (LongDragUpRight EnterKey).
• Play macro
You can replay macro immediately after it's recorded by pressing the "MacroRecordingStop" keyboard command again (LongDragUpRight EnterKey)
• Save Recorded Sequence
LongDragUp EnterKey inserts the recordered sequence into the current memo, thus enabling you to easily create macro template that can be assigned to individual keys, and replayed later.
To replay a memo there should be a "macro" action defined for some of the 16 alpha-key strokes available (You can set this in "Kbd Preferences" - it's LongDragUpRight by default).
When macro is saved to a memo, each stroke is represented by a two-character keyword. Some keywords may be followed by one or more additional characters as appropriate.
The complete list of keywords (55 of them) recognized by the ABCTextPack Macro Processor is listed at the end of this chapter.
The macro definition file (memo) structure is the same as that of a template definition file. A separate entry should be created for each key you want a macro to be assigned to.
A single macro definition consist of a header line ("###X\n") followed by a macro definition which ends when the next "###" sequence is encountered. Spaces, tabs and line breaks may be included freely in a macro definition to increase the readability.
Example: the following macro assigned to key "X" replaces the char before cursor with a letter "x" and moves cursor to the right 2 places:
###X
Bs Kyx
Rt Rt
###
You may have many macro definition files ready made and switch from one to another using "ImportMacro Def" options on the "Xtra" menu.
If you came up with a nice and useful macro definition file you want to share with the others, you can send a memo with a definition to us, so that we can include it in distribution package. Please state whether you want/don't want your name & address included in distribution.
Macro Processor Keywords:
note: at present (alpha 0.81) some of these are not yet operational.
00 Nop
Ky InsertChar
Tx InsertText //not implemented
En Enter
Tb Tab
Sp Space
Up Up
Dn Down
Lt Left
Rt Right
Wp WordPrev
Wn WordNext
Lp LinePrev
Ln LineNext
Pp ParaPrev
Pn ParaNext
Lb LineBegin
Le LineEnd
Pu PageUp
Pd PageDown
Tt TextTop
Tb TextBottom
Sa SelectAll
Sl SelectLine
Sw SelectWord
S0 SelectNone
Bb BlockBegin
Be BlockEnd
Ct Cut
Cp Copy
Pa Paste
Un Undo
I0 AutoIndentOff
I1 AutoIndentOn
I2 AutoIndentFlip
I* AutoIndentEnter
I+ AutoIndentEnterInc
I- AutoIndentEnterDec
Bs BackSpace
De Delete
Dr DelRestOfLine
Dl DelLine
C0 CapsOff
C1 CapsOn
C2 CapsFlip
Uc UpperCase
Lc LowerCase
Fc FirstUpper
Fn FindNext
Fp FindPrev
Rp Replace
Rc RepeatChar
Rl RepeatLine
Ra RunApp
Mi MacroStringInsert
Mp MacroPlay
- Quick Jump Bookmarks 0-9 :
- Quick Jump Bookmarks 0-9
Numeric keys 0-9 LongUpLeft / LongDownLeft skews perform as the ABCTextPack quick jump bookmark keys. These 10 presets may be used to quickly set several bookmarks and then return to any of them later on while editing.
Applying LongUpLeft skew to a numeric key asks for a confirmation and sets the current position in the quick bookmark list.
Applying LongDownLeft skew to a numeric key moves to the previously preset bookmark.
Preset bookmarks are not stored between editing sessions, nor are they maintained during text insertion/deletion.
- Templates :
- Templates
You may use the template option to insert common predefined letters, memos, sentences, signatures, programming constructs etc. on a single keystroke.
ABCTextPack provides for two sets of about 60 templates that can both be active at a same time.
You may have many template definition files ready made and switch from one to another using "ImportTemplate 1/2" options on the "Xtra" submenu.
To be able to actually use the predefined templates an "Execute template action" should be assigned to some of the 16 possible strokes (skews) you can apply to a key.
By default, ShortDown skew is assigned to "template 1" and LongDown skew to "template 2".
Templates are defined in a standard memo. For each key there should be a separate entry in a template definition file. It's not necessary for all keys to be defined in a template definition file - you just define the keys you need.
Template definition for a single key consists of a header line of three "#" (hash) characters followed by a template character itself and a \n (newline).
Everything that follows the header line up to the next occurrence of "###" is considered the body of a template and will be inserted in current memo when the corresponding template insert action occurs.
Example: A template definition assigned to letter "W" that will insert a C-language "while" construct:
...
###W
while()
{
}
###
...
Note: you should use the uppercased characters in template definition ("W" in prev. example)
Note: the end of file does not act as a definition terminator, so you will have to end the last template definition with three "#", otherwise it will not be accepted.
Tip: the last \n (newline) character in a template definition is not considered as part of the template, so you have to provide additional empty line at the end of a template if you want your inserted template to finish with a newline.
If you came up with a nice and useful template definition file you want to share with the others, you can send a memo with a definition to us, so that we can include it in distribution package. Please state whether you want/don't want your name & address included in distribution.
- Preset Memos :
- Preset Memos
There are several different preset options in ABCTextPack (some of them are available even without on-screen kbd activated):
•MENU OPTION
There are two menu options under the "Xtra" popdown: "Set Preset Memo" that sets the current memo as preset to a key from "A" to "Z", and "Load Preset Memo" that loads in a previously preset memo.
•IN FOLDER VIEW
If you press a key from "A" to "Z" when Folder list is shown on the screen ABCTextPack will load in a previously preset memo.
Note: This is especially useful when combined with two quick hard-key presses.
•KEYBOARD
Numeric keys 0-9 Long UpRight / DownRight strokes perform as the ABCTextPack bult-in keyboard preset memo select keys. This 10 presets may be used in addition to the "Last recently used list" to quickly open some frequently used memos.
Applying LongUpRight skew to a numeric key opens the "Set preset key" dialog box, where you can confirm current memo to be assigned to a numeric preset key.
Applying LongDownRight skew to a numeric key asks for confirmation to move to the corresponding preset memo.
Preset memos may be set to any of the ABCTextPack folders.
- Application Run List :
- Application Run List
You may use the "Application Run List" option to start predefined Palm apps (compilers, spell checkers etc) directly from ABCTextPack app, on a single keystroke.
ABCTextPack provides for about 60 apps that can be started on a single key.
You may have several app definition files ready made and switch from one to another using "Import AppRun List" option on the "Xtra" submenu.
To be able to actually use the predefined app list a "Run app action" should be assigned to some of the 16 possible strokes (skews) you can apply to a key.
By default, LongUp skew is assigned.
App list is defined in a standard memo. For each key, there should be a separate entry in the app list definition file. It's not necessary for all keys to be defined in the app list definition file - you just define the keys you need.
App list definition for a single key consists of a header line of three "#" (hash) characters followed by an App character itself and a \n (newline).
2nd line should contain the EXACT name of the called app. 3rd line is an end of def mark: "###".
Example: An App Run definition assigned to letter "M" that will start the "Memo Pad" application:
...
###M
Memo Pad
###
...
Note: you should use the uppercased characters in template definition ("M" in prev. example)
Note: in prev. example there is a single space between "Memo" and "Pad" as this is how this app is called in your Palm Launcher.
Note: the end of file does not act as a definition terminator, so you will have to end the last app run definition with three "#", otherwise it will not be accepted.
- Layouts :
- Layouts
The ABCTextPack on-screen keyboard is a fully programmable keyboard. You can export and import keyboard definition to and from a standard memo. There the kbd definition may be tailored to your need and then loaded back in.
Keyboard definition file segment consists of three separate layouts that follow one after another:
1st layout defines the onscreen appearance
2nd layout defines the key values that will be inserted as a result of a single "Tap"
3rd layout defines Shifted (UpCased) keys
You should always make the appropriate changes to all three layouts to keep them in sync.
Alpha kbd matrix is 4x15 chars.
Numeric kbd matrix is 4x4 chars.
There are 4 rows of definition for a standard (expanded) keyboard.
"Finger" type keyboard definition may follow but is not included in ABCTreo release.
Keyboard definition may appear anywhere in a memo but it should start with "#define\n" line and the following lines should strictly follow the exported structure.
Control keys are defined in a somewhat awkward manner:
#define Bsp '‚' //130
#define Tab 'ƒ' //131
#define Enter '"' //132
#define Shift '...' //133
#define LSpace '†' //134
#define RSpace '‡' //135
and there are no replacement constants defined up to now, but special bitmaps are provided for them in built-in fixed fonts.
When trying to create your own layout, you will probably find it easiest to cut&paste the one of previously exported definitions and then use the 5x9 fixed size font to assure the proper column alignment.
If you happen to mess the things up, you can always resort to a default keyboard layout using "Default Layout" menu option (and graffiti is always available as well).
If you came up with a nice and useful layout you want to share with the others, you can send a memo with a definition to us, so that we can include it in distribution package. Please state whether you want/don't want your name & address included in distribution.
Fonts :
Fonts
In addition to standard Palm fonts (Standard, Bold, Large & LargeBold), ABCTextPack offers you three additional built in fonts: proportional 9x5 and fixed size of 9x5 and 6x4 pixels size.
By default, to ensure maximum visibility, the four Palm fonts are activated in underline mode. ABCTextPack fonts are activated without underlining (separation lines) although it can be activated separately.
The 6x4 font is probably too small to be used underlined, although it is possible to do so.
Password protection :
Password protection
!!B°
ABCTextPack provides three different levels of password protection enabling you to use ABCTextPack as a safe storage for passwords, pins, keywords, codes etc.
Memos are protected starting from the second line of memo. The title line is always left clearly visible.
°Level 1 (Scramble1):
This method offers the lowest level of protection. Every memo in every folder can be scrambled on the individual basis using this method.
You can start protect/unprotect process using the "Scramble1" menu option or by tapping on the lock icon in the lower right part of the screen.
The Scramble1 method produces a password protected memo that can be copied/saved/beamed the same way as unprotected memos. If shadowed to VFS it's stored there in the protected form.
Scramble1 has no means to check the correctness of password used for descrambling, but as it is a symmetrical encryption method, if you happen to descramble memo using a wrong password, just scramble it again using the same wrong password and then descramble it once more using the correct password this time.
Memos protected using Scramble1 method are marked private and are shown with a lock icon in list view. They obey the standard MemoPad Show / Mask / Hide Security settings for private records. You can change MemoPad's & ABCTextPack's behaviour using List view menu "Security" option.
°Level 2 (Scramble2):
This method offers the medium level of protection. It can be defined on folder level (using folder properties) or on category level (attaching !!S flag to the category name). Individual memos may be protected using this method by placing the !!S flag in the 1st (title) line. It should not be defined for the "MemoPad" and "Docs" memos!
The Scramble2 method produces a password protected memo that can be copied the same way as unprotected memos but can't be beamed to MemoPads properly.
Scrambled2 memos are not intended for "Shadow/Reload" operation alhough it should work!
The "Save As" command will always save a memo to VFS card in it's clearly readable, unprotected form!
Password is remembered between individual memos. If the same password is used for all memos in a category, you'll need not enter it again every time you open a new memo. Password grace period is subject to timeout of 20min so that after the timeout period elapses you'll have to enter the password again.
°Level 3 (Encrypt):
This method offers the highest level of protection suitable for protection of very sensitive data. It can be defined on folder level (using folder properties) or on category level (attaching !!E flag to the category name). Individual memos may be protected using this method by placing the !!E flag in the 1st (title) line. It should not be defined for memos in the "MemoPad" or "Docs" folders!
This strong encryption is performed by applying a 128 bit cipher based on a password you supply.
The Encrypt method produces a password-protected memo that can be copied the same way as unprotected memos but can't be beamed to MemoPads properly.
Encrypted memos are not intended for "Shadow/Reload" operation, although it should work!
The "Save As" command will always save a memo to VFS card in it's clearly readable unprotected form!
Here, password is remembered between individual memos for 6 seconds only - you'll probably have to enter it again every time you wish to open a memo.
Note: Do not combine different protection schemes on a single memo! Opt for a level that suits your needs.
Global Find & Goto :
Global Find & Goto
Note: In DEMO release global search functions are disabled!
MemoPad folder will be processed by the MemoPad app anyway.
ABCTextPack will search in all folders including the MemoPad folder.
Password protected (scrambled / encrypted) memos are not searched (except that their titles are).
Journaling :
Journaling
By checking the "Journal" checkbox in folder properties ABCTextPack starts to behave as a journal/diary application for your Palm Handheld.
You can enter and browse daily information organized in up to 15 different categories.
This option may be used for storing diary, logs, to-do lists, project planning etc.
PalmDoc Format Support :
PalmDoc Format Support
Using the "Docs" folder ABCTextPack provides rudimentary support for PalmDoc format files.
ABCTextPack is not a full-fledged document reader, so if you need one, you should look to some other product, as many are available both freeware and commercial (check for "CSpotRun" "Qed" "iSilo" etc).
ABCTextPack has built in Doc support that is suitable for the following tasks:
- importing short documents like letters, programming code snippets etc.
- browsing a larger Doc files and copying different parts of their text to memo files
- creating Doc text files that can be used as a text input to other programs like compilers or interpreters
- uploading texts from desktop programs which are "PalmDoc enabled" i.e. which have plugins installed so that they can export text to a Palm format PDB file
- categorising existing Doc files
PalmDoc files already existing in Palm's memory are represented with a "#" (hash) in front of their name. They are not imported to the ABCTextPack's Docs folder file but they can be viewed in ABCTextPack utilising block-by-block read-only method.
Memos imported to the ABCTextPack folder file and memos you write from scratch don't have the leading "#" in front of their name.
There is a "Refresh list" option on the ListView menu that will refresh the currently displayed Doc files list.
Note: Texts are usually stored in PalmDoc files using compressed format, so when you import them to memos the imported text will decompress to approximately double the size of the original!
Note: As external programming tools usually expect uncompressed Doc files, there is no "compress" option built into ABCTextPack.
Note: there is the "Export Category To Doc" ListView menu option that comes in handy to create bigger docs and may be used as a backup tool as well (you may wish to specify "All" as a current category).
Beaming :
Beaming
Note: In DEMO release beaming functions are not available!
You can beam out a memo of any size from any ABCTextPack folder.
Memos are sent as Mime text/plain type. Such a memo will be accepted on the receiving device by the MemoPad application even if the receiving party has not the ABCTextPack installed. Memos will be accepted at most smartphone devices as well.
If a memo is larger then 4K MemoPad's limit it will be in read only mode while viewed with MemoPad or with ABCTextPack in the "MemoPad" folder. You should cut&paste such a memo to some other folder (that allows bigger memos) for editing.
Note: The Palm Desktop application's MemoPad conduit does not support memos larger then 4K!
Warning: You should not have the ABCTextPack open and active in the "MemoPad" folder when receiving a beamed memo, or incoming memo will be rejected without a notice, because the Palm's MemoPad, (that is the receiving app), will not be able to open that folder.
Memo Upload-Download :
Memo Upload-Download
This procedure is an (unsupported) alternative to VFS external card memo export-import operation.
Memos entered in the ABCTextPack "MemoPad" folder are Downloaded / Uploaded via standard Palm MemoPad conduit during the standard HotSync operation.
All other memos are backup-copied during HotSync operation, but are not available for inspection using the Palm Desktop application.
ABCTextPack has it's own upload / download desktop companion program that creates a directory structure on your desktop computer and copies all your memos into these folders. You can use any text editor (like Windows Notepad) to read/print these memos and incorporate them into your desktop documents.
There is no automatic conduit operation on these memos.
Desktop companion is capable of converting memos stored in Palm's format to TXT, DBF or HTML representation. It operates on a folder basis converting the entire ABCTextPack folder in a single pass.
Note: If you are viewing this documentation in HTML form, it's generated using this ABC Desktop Companion.
The "Upload" folder is designated to uploading memos from your desktop computer to your Palm device.
You can write a text document using your favourite desktop text editor and save it to "Upload" directory on your desktop computer. You can then create AbcT__Upload.pdb file using ABCTextPack desktop companion and transfer this file using the standard HotSync operation.
note: you can use one of the various utilities available for your desktop computer (see MakeDoc) to create a PalmDoc format file, which can be read directly by ABCTextPack using the "Docs" folder.
At present (alpha 0.81), ABCTextPack desktop companion is available for DOS/Windows platform only, and is a tiny DOS box application limited to 8.3 Dos file naming convention.
There is no automatic installation procedure for this companion. The simplest way to install is to put the EXE and BAT files in your Palm Desktop folder (that is the folder named as your hotsync name) and create the shortcuts for BAT files on your desktop. This will allow program to use the default settings.
VFS expansion card support :
VFS expansion card support
Note: In DEMO release an unoptimized version of comm procedures is implemented, resulting in somewhat slower performance when manipulating larger memos!
ABCTextPack can read from and write to VFS devices (usually a SD/MMC card).
Writing to a VFS device is provided using the "Load" & "Save As" menu options. Memos are always saved both to the internal memory and external card simuntaneously!
ABCTextPack provides a special "Shadowing" process as well. You can manually shadow a single (currently open) memo, using the "Reload" & "Save/Shadow" menu option.
This support is a bit specific in that details of save/load operations are hidden from user. Actually, memos are xerox duplicated in Palm's memory and on the external card.
If shadowing is defined at the folder level (i.e. when appropriate checkbox in folders properties is checked), then every time a memo is changed and saved (pressing the "Done" button) it's content is both saved in memory and shadowed (copied) to VFS device. This setting can be used as a permanent backup option even if you don't plan to edit your memos on a desktop computer.
By default, memos are shadowed to: /Palm/Programs/AbcT/FolderName/CategoryName/MemoName. This is the default memo folder and can be changed using the "Set VFS .txt folder" menu option. MemoName is extracted from the first line of memo so, it's important not to have two memos with exactly the same title line!
Once saved to VFS device, memos can be edited using any standard text editor like Windows(r) NotePad etc. VFS card can be inserted in a card reader or attached to a desktop computer in some different way. The recommended choice for Windows machines is the "Palm File Browser" (PFB) application or a combination of the "Total Commander" Windows app and the "filepc2pda" Palm app that maps the VFS device as an ordinary PC drive. You may wish to check the SoftTick's CardExport utility and other similar tools.
If you plan to modify your memos on VFS card frequently, you may wish to turn on the automatic reloading option in your ABCTextPack. This option will try to read in a memo from VFS to ABCTextPack database automatically, whenever a particular memo is open.
Therefore, memos can be reloaded automatically from VFS device if the appropriate checkbox is checked in folders properties. This automatic reloading is defined at folder level, but you can perform a manual reload of a single currently open memo, using the "Reload" menu option.
Note: Reload operation of a single memo will always perform Palm's "Archive" operation as well, saving old memo content to an archive record that can be "Salvaged" later if a need arise.
Note: There are two menu options in the List View menu, which provide for Shadow & Reload operations at entire category level. There, one can select whether the "Archive" operation will take place or not, and specify how the duplicates will be handled (Skip or Overwrite).
Note: Palm's VFS procedures are relatively complex, therefore a slight slowdown may be experienced when shadowing and/or reloading is activated.
Note: if you change the 1st line of memo then it will be re-shadowed under the new name.
Note: If folder shadowing is enabled then Delete & Cut-between-categories / folders operations are shadowed too. You should ensure that receiving folder has automatic shadowing enabled if you whish the pasted memos to appear on the VFS card again.
Note: If automatic reloading is enabled then memos are always opened with cursor positioned at the beginning of the memo.
Release_History :
082 Alpha Field-Test Release :
082 Alpha Field-Test Release
released: 2005.09.19
Should be stable enough for everyday use, but may "SoftReset" your Palm now and then. Usually nothing seriously to worry about :)
083 Alpha Field-Test Release :
083 Alpha Field-Test Release
released: 2005.09.28
Note: see changelog!
Should be stable enough for everyday use, but may "SoftReset" your Palm now and then. Usually nothing seriously to worry about :)
084 Beta Field-Test Release :
084 Beta Field-Test Release
released: 2005.10.02
Note: see changelog!
Should be stable enough for everyday use, but may "SoftReset" your Palm now and then. Usually nothing seriously to worry about :)
For other limitations, please, read the "Demo Limits" category chapters...
There is currently no official site for this product, but you can contact us at:
abcpalm@hotpop.com
All your comments are welcome!
New releases will be made available at:
www.abcpalm.netfirms.com
085 Demo Release :
085 Demo Release
released: 2005.10.03
Note: see changelog!
Does not contain several features that are still considered "under development".
For other limitations, please, read the "Demo Limits" category chapters...
086 Demo Release :
086 Demo Release
- bugfix release
released: 2005.10.05
Note: see changelog!
Does not contain several features that are still considered "under development".
For other limitations, please, read the "Demo Limits" category chapters...
There is currently no official site for this product, but you can contact us at:
abcpalm@hotpop.com
All your comments are welcome!
New releases will be made available at:
www.abcpalm.netfirms.com
ChangeLog :
ChangeLog
!!GB!!B°
°V0.83 Alpha
- flag line option extended to line 1 AND line 2, as to ensure proper handling of !!S and !!E flags (The 2nd line is scrambled / encrypted at the moment the Abc app reads the flags, therefore the !!E and !!S flags should always reside in the 1st memo line!)
- MemoPad hard key function in edit mode changed to "Done"
- AutoIndent mode now operates with external keyboad too
- Bugfix: eliminated complaint about a title missing when shadowing a new memo
- Short skew default treshold changed for AbcTreo from 3 to 5 pixels
- Menu shortcut "K" (Palm's on-screen kbd) is now assigned to Abc on-screen standard keyboard instead (Keyboard & Graffiti menu options are still available)
- Standard AbcKbd can be switched on & off using this new menu shortcut
- Category change: if cat is not actually changed, cursor will not go to the 1st memo in category
- Enhanced MemoPad hard-key navigation in "List" mode
°V0.84 Beta
- bug fix release
°V0.85 Demo & RC1
- removed: some demo limitations, splash screen etc
°V0.86 Demo & RC1
- changed reference of "MemoPad key" to "The rightmost button"
- "Set Launch Button" option dialog changed, not to force MemoPad to launch if answer "No" is selected
- fixed issue of scrollbar sometimes not showing up after program launch
- fixed issue of block uppercase / lowercase command rewinding memo to the 1st line
- fixed issue of cursor sometimes hiding behind the on-screen keyboard on T6xx PDAs
- changed text positioning after "Search and replace" command to show found text on top of the screen
- various little changes to password protection system (most notable is a 6 second password timeout available now in "Encryption" level as well)
°V0.86 Demo & RC1
- Find "IgnoreCase" preference default set to true
Troubleshoot :
Splash screen - Reset settings :
Splash screen - Reset settings
The splash screen is displayed whenever the ABCTextPack app is not used for more than a day (1h if demo release)..
If it ever happens that ABCTextPack app will not start due to improper startup settings, advance the Palm's clock for two days and then start the application. When the splash screen shows up, press the "Reset Settings" button.
This will reinitialize all ABCTextPack app settings and exit, providing for the normal startup next time.
Note: This will not soft or hard reset your Palm device!
Keyboard Misalignment :
Keyboard Misalignment
!!B°
Due to it's small size, the bulit-in on-screen keyboard is extremely sensitive to impropper touch-screen calibration.
°How to recalibrate?:
The recalibration can be done using the built-in "Prefs" application. Depending on your Palm OS version there is the "Digitizer" or the "Touchscreen" option designated for the task.
You will be shown the three points on various screen locations that you should tap with the stylus as precisely as you can. Some sharp object, like a toothpick, might be helpful.
°What if it still does not work OK?:
This means that it will be necessary to fool the calibration routine (it's known to fail 2-3 pixels on smaller screens)
°How?:
At first, try tapping some letters in the middle of the keyboard and watch closely which letters are actuated.
If it appears that letter to the left of the pressed key is actuated, you should fail to the right (and opposite).
If it appears that letter below of the pressed key is actuated, you should fail down (and opposite).
Now redoo the calibration and don't press the dots exactly in the middle, but rather fail a pixel or two as the above results tell you.
This will make the other apps work better too, although most are not so much sensitive to propper calibration.
Note: Be aware of the fact that small sized Palms (like T300/T600) appear to have somewhat coarser touch-sensitive raster (of abt 120 pixels) so you can't actually press each and every pixel on the screen (if you try, you'll get the results something like: 1,2,3,5,6,7,9...).
VFS Error Codes :
VFS Error Codes
(1) Passed in buffer is too small
(2) Generic file error.
(3) The fileref is invalid (has been closed, or was not obtained from VFSFileOpen())
(4) Returned from FSFileDelete if the file is still open
(5) The file is read only
(6) A file of this name exists already in this location
(7) File pointer is at end of file
(8) File was not found at the path specified
(9) The volume refnum is invalid.
(10) Returned from FSVolumeFormat if the volume is still mounted
(11) No installed filesystem supports this operation
(12) Operation could not be completed because of invalid data (i.e., import DB from .PRC file)
(13) Can't delete a non-empty directory
(14) Invalid filename, or path, or volume label or something...
(15) Not enough space left on volume
(16) This call is not implemented
(17) This operation requires a directory
(18) This operation requires a regular file, not a directory
(19) Returned from VFSFileCreate when the path leading up to the new file does not exist
(20) A volume name or filename was automatically shortened to conform to filesystem spec
Abc Error Codes :
Abc Error Codes
1 Error
4 CannotCreatePrefDatabase
5 CannotOpenPrefDatabase
6 CannotCreateMemoDatabase
7 CannotOpenFrame
8 CannotOpenMemoDatabase
9 CannotCreateFoldersDatabase
10 CannotOpenFoldersDatabase
11 CannotWriteAppInfoInitBlock
13 CannotSaveCommonPreferences
14 CannotSaveKeyboardPreferences
15 CannotSaveFramePreferences
16 CannotLoadFramePreferences
17 CannotSaveResource
18 CannotLoadResource
19 CannotSaveFolderList
20 BadFolderRecordHandle
21 BadFolderRecordSize
22 FolderUnavailable
23 BlkSizeError
24 Journal1LineWrongFormat
25 CannotResizeRecord
26 PasswordIncorrect
27 CannotOpenDir
28 VFSDirEntryEnumerate
29 MemoAlreadyExists
30 VFSNullHandle
Useful_Hints :
Learn Useful Keyboard Strokes :
Learn Useful Keyboard Strokes
If you plan to use the on-screen keyboard it's beneficial to learn a few control and navigational strokes (or to learn how to use the optional bottom line function keys)
The most important strokes are:
Letter-Up = uppercased letter
Letter-Left = replace left char
Backspace-Right = delete (right)
LeftSpace-Left = cut
LeftSpace-Up = copy
LeftSpace-Down = paste
RightSpace - Left/Right/Up/Down = move the cursor around
The "Function keys" (dots actually) can be enabled using "Opts" + "Preferences" menu option.
On-screen keyboard can be switched on/off using Menu+"K" menu shortcut!
Launch Button :
Launch Button
(If on of the four is assigned to ABCTextPack app)
Use it as a "Done" button
Press and hold it for an "Instant memo"
Treo 5way Center Button :
Treo 5way Center Button
Use it to switch "Edit" and "Browse" modes
In browse mode press it once to start "Edit" mode ("E" shows up in font selector button)
In edit mode press it twice to return to browse mode (1st press opens the menu and there "Browse" is the first option)
Jump To Preset Category :
Jump To Preset Category
There is no "Preset to category" option right built in, but if you assign a preset key to the first memo in the category then this memo will open and there the category list is just a single click away. (i.e. press the MemoPad hard-key)
Twin Frames :
Twin Frames
Learn how to use the twin frames ABCTextPack feature as this is an indispensible tool for moving memos between folders and categories as well as for cut/copying text portions between two or more memos
Note that you can have a memo open in one frame while you are searching trough the list of memos in another.
Illegal chars in VFS FileNames :
Illegal chars in VFS FileNames
Beware that there are some limitations that apply when creating a VFS filename.
Some characters (like "?") are not allowed, so it's best to stick to letters, numbers and underscores in the first memo line, if you wish to use Shadow-save to the VFS option.
Encrypt a Single Memo :
Encrypt a Single Memo
To encrypt a single memo append "!!E" (two "!"s and uppercase E) to the first line of text.
...and... Don't forget the password, as we wont be able to help you!!!
MEMOPAD FOLDER WARNING!:
Never encrypt a memo in MemoPad folder as it might be improperly HotSync-ed! Use the "Scramble1" (locker icon) method instead.
Only if you wish tho check what your encrypted memo looks like, you can encrypt a memo in MemoPad folder using ABCTextPack and then open it using the built-in MemoPad app!
Warning: After opening an encrypted memo with MemoPad app you won't be able to decrypt this memo in ABCTextPack any more - so don't put in any valuable data.