** NOTE.COM  Instant message maker. **

   Note is a very simple but effective program that will
place any ASCII text file within a com file for display on
the console device when the file is executed.  This is a
great way to create files that can trap for common user
parameter or syntax errors.  It also can be used to create
small help files or any other message that must be printed
on demand.  The format for use is:

NOTE text-filename [ >destination-filename ]
                     ^--^
  (notice there is no space between the 'Greater-than'
  symbol and the destination filename)

    Lets say you operate a RCPM and are running ZCPR2 on the
system.  Now and then you are sure to get a user that is not
familiar with the ZCPR syntax for changing user numbers and
will type in things such as user 2, user 4, ect.  All you
have to do is create a small text file explaining the the
proper syntax for drive/user logging in ZCPR2, name it USER,
and process it with NOTE by typing in the following command
line:

NOTE USER >USER.ASM

   This will create an asm file with the text file embedded
as DB's that will assemble with ASM or MAC.  After assembling
and loading the file, you will have a file named USER.COM
that will display your message every time the user types
USER 1, USER 4, ect.  The same system could be used to point
the user towards the files you use to operate your system.
Example:  Lets assume you use TYPEL 2.3 to replace TYPE,
LTYPE, & LDIR.  You could rename TYPEL to TYPE and create
two files using NOTE called LDIR and LTYPE explaining that
these files are not on line and that TYPEL has been renamed
to TYPE for ease of use.  This approch is much better than
having the user pull up directories searching for the proper
files to operate your system.
    Another good application for NOTE is the creation of
small help files with familar names such as naming a help
file for PIP, PIPH or HPIP. Anything that is easy to
remember will work well.  For the best, least cluttered
effect, make these files "system" files that are not dis-
played so that the non-integration of these files to the
operating system is transparent to the user.


  Update Ideas-

Command line options at run time for the following features
would be a nice touch.

   Clear screen code.  An option to place a clear screen
code or sequence at the front of the file consisting of the
actual control codes so that this could be done for any
terminal.

   Number of lines displayed before page pause.  Defining
the number of lines to display, at run time, before pausing
for a page break would also allow this feature to be used on
any terminal.

   The main requirement is to keep the size of the final com
file small!  At present a file that displays a normal screen
of text is less that 2k.

   Send all updates to: 
                         Tek-80 RBBS/RCPM  (707) 425-2277
                         John Ray (SYSOP)