TECHNICAL BULLETIN #154 - Rev 1.10 (9/03/96)

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TITLE   : Creating Custom RIPscrip Screens for Host Mode
PRODUCT : Procomm plus 4.x, 3.x
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If you have been considering changing your default Host RIP graphic screens,
but are not sure where to start, here's a brief introduction to RIPscrip,
software available to aid in creating RIP screens, and how to use custom
screens in Host.

WHAT ARE RIPSCRIP GRAPHICS?

RIPscrip is a terminal emulation like ANSI BBS or VT-100.  It allows you to
mix graphics and text to produce a visually rich and interactive environment
for your Host mode users.  While ANSI BBS uses special characters to create
effects such as boxes, lines and pictures, drawing circles with ANSI BBS is an
impossible task. RIPscrip gives you more flexibility by adding specific
graphics commands to draw pictures, buttons, rectangles (with or without
rounded corners), circles and area fills, in addition to text.

Another advantage of RIPscrip is the addition of mouse support.  This gives
the user the ability to set up a Graphical User Interface (GUI).  This means
anyone calling in can navigate through the screens with a click of a mouse
button.  This is a major improvement over the older terminal emulations and
gives anyone designing RIPscrip screens the ability to create a friendlier
user interface.

CREATING RIPSCRIP GRAPHIC SCREENS

There are several tools available to help you create your own screens.  Some
RIPscrip editors compile BASIC-like source commands to create screen files.
Others allow you to draw your screens using various drawing tools and icons
and then convert your drawings into RIPscrip files.  These graphic editors are
the easiest to use.

Yet another utility converts .PCX pictures directly to RIP screens.  You can
then use any RIPscrip editor to add buttons, icons and other modifications to
your screen.

These utilities generally come with sufficient documentation and sample files
to get you started.  Here are some sources for these utilities.

   TeleGrafix Communications, Inc.
      Voice: 714.379.2141
      BBS: 714.379.2133 (Arena BBS)
      Fax: 714.379.2132
      FTP: telegrafix.com/pub/telegrafix/
      WWW: http://www.telegrafix.com

   Blue View Software
      Voice: 416.757.7944
      WWW: http://www.westonia.com/blueview/

   Blake Software
      BBS: 505.736.5129 (Green Acres! BBS)

   Other resources on the Web
      http://www.interax.abacom.com/rip/
      http://www.jumbo.com/graph/dos/rip/

ADDING CUSTOM RIP SCREENS TO THE HOST SCRIPT

Once your custom screens are completed, install them in Procomm Plus' Host
mode script from the HOSTUTIL script.

   1.  Select the HOSTUTIL script from the Script File list box on the Action
       Bar.

   2.  Select RIP Options.  Your custom files should be placed in the RIP
       Directory specified in this screen.  They will then show up in the RIP
       Screen list boxes.

   3.  Select the RIPscrip graphic you created which corresponds with the
       appropriate screen.

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           Copyright (c) 1996 Quarterdeck  All rights reserved.
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