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SPOOL.CMD - a background print spooler that runs under BASIC.SYSTEM documentation for version 4 (Basic) Unpack using BinSCII then ShrinkIt to get a BIN file named SPOOL.CMD and a TXT file named SPOOL.DOC. To install: BRUN SPOOL.CMD to start a document printing in the background: SPOOL <filename> You must have either set a prefix or make <filename> a complete pathname. SPOOL.CMD is shareware: Try it out for two weeks, and if you decide to keep it, send $5 to: Doug Reeder 1718 Birch Richland, WA 99352 Otherwise, delete it from your disks. You may pass it on to other people, but you must not give them a modified copy and you must give them all the files, and they must also pay the shareware fee if they keep it. You may not charge to distribute SPOOL.CMD, including as part of a collection, without permission in writing from me. You may charge for media and postage, of course, and you may upload SPOOL.CMD to pay-access electronic bullitin boards, as long as no charge is made for downloading. Versions are being written for all the popular ProDOS shells, and one $5 shareware fee is good for all versions. Comments on file formatting paradigms (filter programs or command line options?) are welcome. Money talks. Syntax: SPOOL <filename> [,Fn] You must either specify a complete pathname, or a partial pathname if the prefix is set. The F(orce) parameter is optional. F1 will force the presently spooling file to stop, and will then attempt to spool the new file specified. If you do not wish to spool a new file, give the name of a file that does not exist. F2 will re-enable interrupts, allowing a disrupted (usually by reset) spooling to continue. If a SPOOL.CMD is trying to spool a file, the filename will be parsed but ignored. If not, the new file will be spooled. SPOOL.CMD should work with any Apple IIc, IIe, or clone, with an Apple Super Serial Card or the equivalent hardware in slot 1, and should also work with a II+ with a 65C02 installed. Specifically, it requires a 65C02 or better processor and an ACIA (that's the chip that does the serial stuff) with it's registers mapped to the same addresses as the SSC. It does not depend on the serial firmware at all, nor does it interact with the standard input or output. Documents may be spooled from any disk drive. Compatability with IIgs's is unknown. Bug reports should be sent to the address at the end of this document. SPOOL.CMD comes configured to communicate at 9600 baud, 8 bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit, which is standard for Imagewriter I's and II's. It adds line feeds after carrige returns, but does no other formatting at present, including breaking lines wider than your printer can handle. If you need a different configuration, send me the shareware fee, and I'll send you a modified version. Future versions will be easier to configure and will include formatting of some kind. The ideal paradigm would be to run the file through a formatting filter to a copy on ramdisk, and spool it from there. Send compatibility reports to the address at the end of this document. Errors: If there is not enough memory for SPOOL.CMD to install itself, it will report PROGRAM TOO LARGE. Problems with starting a document spooling will give you the appropriate BASIC.SYSTEM error message. The most common problems are a mistyped or unavailable file, not setting the prefix, and being unable to install a new interrupt routine because too many are already active (probably because one was left dangling by a reset). Any error while reading the file will terminate spooling with no message. If the printer appears to be unready, SPOOL.CMD will wait as long as neccesary, giving no message. Reset will disable interrupts and suppress spooling. To continue spooling the current file, use SPOOL <anyfile>,F2 SPOOL.CMD and this document are copyright 1990 by Doug Reeder. Send the shareware fee of $5 to: Doug Reeder 1718 Birch Richland, WA 99352 Bug reports, compability reports, and comments can also be sent to: USENET: ...!tektronix!reed!reeder BITNET: REEDER@REED.BITNET Money talks.