| Short.Stop's |
|---|
| About VDE |
| Excerpts from the documentation for VDE, by Eric Meyer |
| Updated for VDE 1.95 (Aug 2007) |
| Introduction |
| Reviews / About the Author |
| Copyright and Usage Policy |
| Update Guide |
| Version History |
VDE 1.93
* VDE now accepts Windows Long File Names on the command line or at
prompts for filenames; please read the full details under BEYOND DOS. The
Browser now shows the current item's LFN below. Longer paths and names are
abbreviated as necessary for proper display.
* The Ctrl/Caps key feature has been revised to prevent accidental
toggling of caps lock: Shift must now be pressed together with CapsLock to
change its status. (See CTRL KEY.)
* Miscellaneous improvements in 1.93A-D: /M mode can read larger MSWord
files. Generic pasting of text into VDE (with DOS TSRs, DESQview, or
Windows) no longer requires the use of keyboard delay or disabling of "fast
paste". AltE-A once again provides a more attractive large font. The
Browser can list more files. Several obscure problems have been fixed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
VDE 1.92
* VDE can now access the Windows clipboard directly, using two new
commands ^[ (copy) and ^] (paste). Copied characters are translated between
the ASCII (DOS) and ANSI (Windows) character sets, to the extent possible
(unless translation is disabled with a new toggle, Esc*b). See CLIPBOARD.
* Under Windows 95/98/NT, VDE can now show Long File Names: if the
current file has an LFN, it will display (along with its DOS path) when AltK
is used. Also, when you embed the ^F code in a print header (using ^PF), it
now prints the filename (Long if applicable), with no path. (If you prefer
to have the DOS name/path, use ^F alone to expand that as usual at the
prompt.)
* There is a new command AltY (copY) to copy a block into the paste
buffer; AltC (Cut) now copies and removes the block from the current file.
(Note: if you weren't using the former VINST option "Cut deletes block",
you'll need to change your habits, and possibly your macros. AltC alone
should be replaced by AltY; AltC,^KY can become simply AltC.)
* The [Del] key has a new feature: when used immediately after marking a
block with the Shift-arrow keys or mouse, it deletes the block (a common
feature in other editors today.)
* Print (^KP) has a new option "J", to force a page to eject after block
print or zoom mode printing when it wouldn't otherwise. (A growing number of
printers no longer have control panels for this.)
* A new macro command Esc** saves several critical values (Insert,
Autoformat, and Margin release status) that commonly have to be changed for
macros to work properly, for restoration when the macro ends. See TOGGLE
CONTROL.
* Two new macro test/jump commands are provided for navigating multi-
segment files: Esc[ or Esc], followed by a label, jumps if there are any
previous or following segments of the current file. See SEGMENT NAVIGATION.
* VINST offers a new Installation choice to turn off VDE's feature that
lets the CapsLock key act as Ctrl too. Also, two former VINST Options have
been removed: "Use ^Z as EOF" (outdated) and "Cut deletes block" (replaced by
new AltY command).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
VDE 1.91
* While using VDE, the [CapsLock] key now also automatically acts as
[Ctrl] if you combine it with another key. This enables convenient use of
Ctrl-commands on "enhanced" keyboards without the need to load a separate
utility (like CTRLCAPS.COM, which is no longer included). See CTRL KEY.
* Windows 9x "Long File Names" are now preserved when you save changes to
an existing file. (VDE still doesn't actually display or accept LFNs.)
* /M file mode has been improved, and now reads the new file format
introduced with the latest version of Microsoft Word.
VDE 1.91A fixed a problem in version 1.91's handling of Long File Names.
VDE 1.91B mainly corrects a tendency of the indentation commands ^OG,^OO
(since version 1.9) to misbehave or crash when used in a multisegment file.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
VDE 1.9
* LARGER FILES CAN NOW BE EDITED, and are automatically loaded and saved
in multiple segments. Many editing functions coordinate across multiple
segments. This is a major change; please read the instructions on "LARGE
FILES" and "SEGMENTATION" carefully, noting the new commands AltL+ and Esc%.
Note that VDE.DOC is itself now a large file, with which you can explore
these new features.
* A new AltS command performs a global Save on all modified files being
edited (unless untitled or protected).
* There is no longer a separate ^OW command for single-file windowing;
AltW splits the screen, initially showing the same file/segment, and then
others if you use AltN/B to move around. AltM (Match) can now be used within
a single file. See WINDOWING.
* You can now change the default file mode and/or margins for a VDE
session by specifying an option on the command line before any filenames:
VDE /M FILE1... or VDE /5,60 FILE1... See SYNTAX.
* The Right/Left arrow keys once again have the hybrid behavior they had
before version 1.87A, their motion restricted to the file text while within
it, but moving freely across the screen once outside it. (See CURSOR MOTION)
The column block toggles ^KN,^KI are now fully independent; ^KI works even
when ^KN is off, and isn't cancelled by it. Overflow graphics are now
replaced by ^PG, which is visible and easily searchable, rather than a space.
There have been numerous even more minor changes.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
VDE 1.87B
* The auto-number command ^K# can now number in decreasing order with a
new option "-". See AUTO NUMBER.
* /M file mode has been improved to handle more special codes in files
created by recent versions of MS Word.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
VDE 1.87A
* Block marking in column mode now behaves more smoothly when it
encounters short lines, adding spaces (and removing them again, during shift-
arrow or mouse blocking) to keep the marker in the intended column. See
COLUMN BLOCKS.
* The arrow keys now all act just like the mouse -- the right/left arrows
no longer move on to another line. For the WordStar behavior you must now use
the cursor diamond keys ^E, ^D.
* The ^\ command now repeats graphics that have been entered with the
Alt-keypad method, not only via AltG. A new set of box-drawing macros has
been added to EXAMPLES.VDF, and documented in VMACRO.REF.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
VDE 1.87
* A new command ^I controls the input direction, cycling between right
(normal), down, left, and up: in each mode, the cursor continues to move in
the chosen direction after entry of every character, for easier construction
of vertical lines, borders, boxes, etc. The down, left, and up modes are
indicated by an arrow beside the column number in the header, and they are
temporary, canceled by virtually any other VDE command. See INPUT DIRECTION.
* The copy character command ^\ now works appropriately in any input
direction (copying from below when moving up, for example), and has a new
special feature: since repeated entry of special characters (like graphics)
with AltG can be tedious, ^\ can now be used immediately after AltG to repeat
that character(At other times it functions as before).
* The file browser now lists files vertically, which is easier to read
than the previous horizontal order. Also, it now requests confirmation
("Y"es/"N"o) before deleting a file.
* Rename (^KE) once again accepts a drive/directory without a filename,
which wasn't working in recent versions. Please read the expanded
description of its abilities in VDE.REF under SAVE/EXIT.
* In document modes, Preview (^OD) now also hides printer Esc-sequences
embedded directly in the text with ^P[Esc]. (Note: this only works perfectly
for the HP PCL commands used by Laser/DeskJets, etc.)
* A new file mode /T reads and writes files in Windows Notepad format,
which is unformatted (like /U) but uses the ANSI (also known as Latin-1)
character set instead of ASCII for codes in the range 128-255 (80-FF). VDE
translates between the two as well as possible. See FILE MODES.
File mode /M can now read Microsoft Word 97 files, and also does a cleaner
job of reading some files from previous Windows versions of Word. Please read
the explanation of the relationship between /M and /U modes in VDE.DOC (under
MICROSOFT WORD), which has been expanded and clarified.
A problem with the handling of margins in /L mode has also been fixed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
VDE 1.86
* A new block command ^KT can convert hard tabs into spaces, maintaining
columnar alignment; and the ^K^ command (switch block case) has been removed.
(Here is a macro to replace it: ^QB ^KZ Esc$2 Esc1 ^^ Esc!1 Esc2 ^KZ)
* In proportional mode (^OK), the left margin and initial indent (^OL,
^OO) now run in units of 1/10", as the right margin did before; the header
shows cursor position in increments of 1/10"; the ruler (^OT) now better
shows the approximate effects of proportional margins; paragraph indent (^OG)
runs in increments of 1/2". Column block operations are now invalid in
proportional mode.
* Column block mode (^KN) now allows block moves to a location within the
marked block itself, and block moves overlapping the original block now work
properly. In column replace mode (^KI), block moves and deletions (^KV,^KY)
now leave a rectangle of blank spaces behind. [VDE 1.86A]
* An additional print control toggle ^PU (user) is now available in file
mode /D, and can be set up with VINST. The print (^KP) menu now shows the
driver in use, and has a new option "I" to set a tab expansion interval.
Envelope printing (^KPA) now works with any size font; VINST offers a new
setting in the printer driver for "Envelope font pitch" (in cpi, or 0 for
proportional). The previous driver setting for "printer type" (HP, FX, etc)
has been removed.
* Minor improvements: The file browser, when invoked via file load
commands AltL or ^KL/D, offers a new key [F5], to load ALL files at once (or
as many as will fit). Preview mode (^OD) now allows use of the arrow keys,
to scroll the screen left, right, up, or down. The Use (AltU) command can
now read and write individual VDK files as well; it will ask which function
key you wish to save or load. The function key label line (^OU) can now be
scrolled by holding two of Shift/Ctrl/Alt at once.
* VINST's <I>nstallation no longer asks for a computer type; VDE now
automatically detects the HP 95/100/200LX palmtops, and no longer supports
anything else but true PC compatibles. Under <O>ptions, VINST can now adjust
the amount of memory used by the speller dictionaries for best performance.
(Also, the previous user options for right justification and double spacing
have been removed; both now default to OFF.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
VDE 1.85
* The commands to define and record macros are now ^M and ^MM. After
entering a macro at the prompt, ^[Enter] will simply repeat the macro
(visibly) until you press [Esc].
* Input at command prompts can now be edited with the [<],[>] arrow keys,
instead of only being able to backspace and retype.
* The file browser can now also be invoked from ^KW (block write) or AltU
(load .VDx). Also, it now shows ALL subdirectories present, not just those
whose name matches the given filespec.
* VINST offers two new selections under <I>nstallation: for 132-column
mode (AltA), "V" for VESA compliant, which works on most recent video cards;
and under keyboard type, "T"est, as normal default, in addition to overrides
"A"T and "X"T.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
VDE 1.84
* A new command Esc*m makes the file match command AltM treat hard CRs as
whitespace rather than a potential mismatch.
* The auto-number command ^K# now has multiple options, not only to set a
starting number, but also continue numbering from the last use; align flush;
use Roman numerals; or use a different marker character.
* Minor improvements: ^[Tab] now inserts spaces if Insert is on. Spell
checking (AltJ) recognizes words hyphenated at the ends of lines. /F mode
can now read some larger WordPerfect files.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
VDE 1.83
* A new command Esc@ can alphabetically compare two strings; a macro can
now sort the lines of a file.
* New commands show the value of the macro counter: Esc(H) displays it
briefly in the header, while Esc(T) writes it into the file text.
* Command prompts now offer two new features: ^[ enters text from the
currently marked block, and function keys may now be used at any prompt.
* A new command Esc*t allows you to choose not to trim spaces from the
ends of lines when saving nondocuments to disk, and Esc*U now unloads the
speller once it's been invoked, recovering its memory.
* File mode /X now allows a left margin setting, and both /X and /L modes
now set both margins when you load a file. Also, only printer codes
supported in the current file mode now display or act as such.
* Minor improvements: Preview mode (^OD) now highlights text affected by
print toggles. Replace (^QA) now reports the number of instances changed.
AltE (screen lines) has been revised, and offers slightly different choices.
The MenuBar offers a new command {Block:Goto}, for ^QB.
* VINST can now read and write individual function key definitions to
data files (.VDK), and thus move a definition from one set (.VDF) to another.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
VDE 1.82
* A new command Esc*L allows you to override VDE's file exclusions and
access any files you like.
* When reformatting causes rejoining of a hyphenated word in file modes
without soft hyphens (/A,U,M,X,L), a placemark is now left there.
* VDE's HP LX palmtop installations offer improved support: the [MENU]
key brings up the MenuBar; battery saving features are supported; the [ZOOM]
key now works while editing. Also [in 1.82A], a new file mode /L handles
"formatted" files created by the built-in MEMO editor and an icon VDE.ICN is
provided to install VDE for launch from the Application Manager.
* Minor improvements: accented letters (ASCII 80-A5h) are now treated
more like letters (their case can often be reversed, etc). Display of a
file's "Saved" time and date by AltK follows the user's choice of formats (in
VINST). The speller menu no longer hides the context of a word on the first
3 lines of the file. The ^OH,^OV commands, whose status is not visible in
the header, now show it briefly when used. The ^KP print option menu can now
be scrolled for viewing on narrow screens (like many other menus) with the
left/right arrow keys.
* Deletions: The outdated ^PG print pause feature has been removed.
There is no longer a VINST option to handle quirks of older Tandy keyboards.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
VDE 1.81
* A new command ^OO allows you to set an automatic initial (first line)
indent for paragraphs.
* A new command Esc/ allows adjustments to margins or page length that
work without knowing what the previous value actually was, primarily for use
in macros.
* A new option /1-8 can be used with a wildcard filespec to automatically
load (up to) that many of the specified files. Also, a file mode can be now
used with wildcard arguments.
* The screen shift command Alt[>] (right arrow) can now go as far as you
like, unrestricted by the length of text on the cursor line.
* VINST offers a new installation option to control VDE's search for a
mouse driver. If you have trouble with mouse operation, you can disable it;
if VDE doesn't detect your mouse, you can enable it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
VDE 1.8F
File input compatibility has been improved. Mode /S (WordStar v.5-7)
handles a few formatting features better. Mode /M (Microsoft Word) can now
read Word for Windows v.2-6 files, as well as DOS Word v.3-6. (As before, /M
mode always writes in DOS Word v.5 format.)
^QP can now return to the end of block text just undeleted. So after
^U, you can re-mark the recovered block with ^KB^QP^KK.
Many commands which didn't work when the cursor is past the actual end
of the line, now do (including Del, ^T, etc).
If you simply press Enter at the Autosave (^KA) or Page Length (^OP)
prompt, nothing happens. (Previously this would restore the default value.)
You no longer need to type the wildcards "*.*" to invoke the File
Browser from the DOS command line or a filename prompt (^KL etc); a drive or
directory name alone will now work, as it always has with ^KF.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
VDE 1.8
* A long-requested feature, column block mode, is toggled by the new ^KN
and ^KI commands. When on, you will see "CBl", or "CRp" for column replace
mode, in the header (note that the former "vt,hy" flags no longer appear). A
column block is a rectangle whose top left and bottom right corners are the
block markers. Column block move/copy/read operations can either insert or
replace existing text, according to the mode selected with ^KI. A new toggle
command Esc*C is also provided. See COLUMN BLOCK MODE.
Also, the ^KR or {File:Import} command no longer leaves material marked
as a block, as it did in VDE 1.73. (To do this, you can execute the commands
^KB,^KK,^S before ^KR, or set up a macro to do so.)
* The file information command, formerly ^KI, has been changed to AltK,
and improved: when it lists multiple files, the cursor is now positioned on
the next filename, and the Up/Down arrows and Enter key can be used to move
to a particular file.
* VDE now recognizes the motion of a mouse (or other pointer device), if
installed, for moving the cursor through file text. This allows faster
cursor motion, especially diagonally. Also, pressing the main (Left) button
while moving marks a block, just like holding down Shift with arrow keys.
* To maintain smooth cursor motion when using the mouse or up/down arrow
keys, VDE now allows the cursor to move temporarily beyond the end of a short
line. An arrow will display by the column number in the header (i.e. "C>52")
to indicate this. If you type a character, the intervening spaces will be
added to the line first. For full details, see MOVING THE CURSOR.
* A new command ^\ copies the character above the cursor, making it easy
to duplicate parts of lines. The backward repeat find command, formerly ^\,
has been changed to ^H, which is more accessible and similar to the forward
command ^L.
* A new command ^[Tab] tabs to the column of the next nonblank in the
previous line, for automatic alignment with existing columns.
* A new command ^OY toggles hard reformat mode. Auto-format is turned
off; reformat (^B) will convert a group of text lines with hard returns into
a formatted paragraph with soft returns. (Thus it is no longer necessary to
use a macro to "soften" text before reformatting.) Esc*Y is provided to
control this in a macro. See HARD REFORMAT.
* A new command ^KU removes all place marks (^KM) from the file. This is
very useful in a macro which will be using a place mark and would be confused
by pre-existing ones.
* A new command Esc*S specifies that single lines ending in a hard CR
should be adjusted to the current left margin when manual reformat (^B) is
used; Esc*s returns to the default, which now is that they are NOT adjusted.
(They may be centered titles, etc.)
* A new option /R (which can be combined with a file mode, like /RD)
loads a file in PROTECTED MODE (see ^KO).
* The following keys which used to be completely equivalent are now
different in most contexts:
[Enter] and ^M (CR) [BkSp] and ^H [Esc] and ^[
^[Enter] and ^J (LF) [Tab] and ^I ^[Ins] and ^]
This means that the keys ^H,^I,^M,^[,^] are now free for use as independent
commands in VDE. (^J already was one.) The only case when these keys are
still equivalent is their use after ^P to embed an ASCII code in text:
^P[BkSp] and ^P^H both enter the character ^H, ASCII 08. On XT keyboards
that do not recognize ^[Ins], you can use the toggle function Esc*W for word
insert mode instead.
This will require changing some habits, and rewriting most macros. For
example, when defining macros, ^P[Enter] and ^P^M (or just ^M) are no longer
the same: the first embeds the Enter COMMAND, the second embeds the ^M (CR)
CHARACTER. Thus to terminate input to a prompt, for example, you must use
^P[Enter]; while to search for a CR in the text, you must enter it as ^P^M or
just ^M (which works fine now without a ^P prefix). Be careful, also, not to
press ^P^[Enter] when you mean ^P[Enter].
NOTE: With all the changes to keys and commands in VDE 1.8, VINST cannot
read and convert .VDF files from previous versions. For the first time in
many years, you will have to redo your function key files. (The new release
of the VMC macro converter should simplify this task, however.)
* If block zoom (^KZ) is used when no block is marked, it will now zoom
into an empty block instead of giving an error.
* The Alt[Tab] command can now produce a hard tab in variable tab mode,
as well as variable tab in hard tab mode.
* Several changes have been made to Find/Replace (^QF/^QA) features:
The potentially confusing "I"gnore-case option is now called simply "C"ase.
In document modes, the find algorithm allows for additional whitespace
(spaces, soft CR) between words, in the event of wordwrap. The command-line
option "[_]" to locate a string when loading a file can now contain spaces or
punctuation, and follows the user's VINST default for case-sensitivity.
* When windowing two locations in the same file (^OW), changes made in
one window are now reflected in the other after an interval of inactivity.
(Previously no update occured until moving back to the other window.)
* The ^QB,^QK,^QM commands now display a visible error ("Not Found") when
the relevant marker is not present.
* ^QP can now be used after a block paste, copy, or read operation
(AltP, ^KC, ^KR) to move to the end of the block that was just inserted (the
cursor remains at the start of it). This is most convenient in the event of
an error, so you can easily locate and delete the unwanted material
(^KB^QP^KK^KY). [Introduced in VDE 1.8D]
* Non-document file modes (/N,C) now remove any spaces at the ends of
lines when saving to disk. This can be useful for converting VDE-style
"soft" paragraphs to "hard" text for various applications. If you want to
avoid this effect, you can save in mode /A or /U instead.
* VINST no longer offers a choice of behavior for several keys, which now
simply have their standard PC functions:
[BkSp] delete previous char [Home] go to line start
[Del] delete current char [End] go to line end
And by the same logic, the "^Q[Del]" command has been changed to ^Q[BkSp].
Also, there is no more "Align page with screen" option; ^QI positions the
cursor just like Find (^QF). If you like, you can then use ^OE to make this
the top of the screen.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
VDE 1.73
* A new command, ^[Del], deletes the entire current word, regardless of
the position of the cursor within it. (Actually introduced in ver. 1.72B)
* The "[]" command-line option can now be used with text, as well as a
line number. VDE FILENAME[string] loads FILENAME, and positions the cursor on
the first occurrence of "string". See SYNTAX.
* Text read in by ^KR or {File:Import} is now automatically marked as a
block, to aid in distinguishing it from the surrounding material.
* When defining a macro with the Esc[ command, PC keys are now accepted.
Several have their own symbols, displaying as highlighted arrows or triangles:
arrow keys [^,v,<,>], [De]], ^[Del], and ^[BkSp]. The rest all display as a
highlighted asterisk "*".
* There is no longer a special command Esc] to store the previously
defined macro to a key. Instead, use Esc[ and press ^R to replay the last
macro. (The little-used macro commands ^O=, ^Q-, Esc^R, Esc^C have also been
eliminated, since they served as synonyms for [5], Shft[Tab], ^[PgUp],
^[PgDn], all of which can now be entered in macros directly.)
* The search path for accessory (.VDx) and speller files has been changed
for ease of use. Most users will no longer need to SET a VDE environment
variable; under DOS 3 and above, you can simply keep these files in the same
directory as VDE.EXE. The same search method is also used when running
VINST.COM or VUDIC.COM. It now applies also to writing .VDx files, when no
directory is specified. See DIRECTORIES.
* The instructions for use of macros have been expanded, and are now
located in a new file, VMACRO.REF.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VDE 1.72
* The PC up/down arrow keys now restore the original cursor column (when
possible) after moving across shorter lines. The ^E/^X keys do not do this,
retaining their WordStar behavior instead.
* WordPerfect file compatibility has been improved. /F mode can now
recognize and read WP version 6.0 files, as well as 5.0/5.1. It now writes WP
5.0 format, which can be read directly by WP 5.1 or 6.0 as well.
* Unformatted /U mode no longer interprets control codes as print effects
(it now behaves like /A mode in this respect, instead of /D).
* Soft hyphens (^P-) are now saved to disk in /D mode as well as the
WordStar and WordPerfect filemodes.
* Find (^QF) can now be used more easily to find hard returns in
documents: a string BEGINNING with a return (^M) matches only HARD returns.
* The MenuBar now displays the main keyword in the header when a submenu
is selected.
* Hard tabs in documents now display as a bidirectional arrow, instead of
the control code "I". (They do not display if CR/tab display (^OB) is off.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
VDE 1.71
* The VDE program is now in .EXE format (rather than .COM), and there is
no longer a separate VDEOPT.DAT file required for the AltE command.
* Two new macro commands, Esc? and Esc:, accept input directly from the
keyboard during macro execution. See MACRO PAUSE/INPUT.
* The macro chain command Esc& now has a variant Esc&& which calls
another macro definition, then returns. See MACRO PROGRAMMING.
* The old style "Esc key" macros, which some users felt had mnemonic
value, have been reinstated as aliases for function keys. See FUNCTION KEYS.
* There are now 16 variable tab stops, rather than 8. Also, the Esc-Tab
command (for variable tab in hard tab mode) has been replaced with Alt-Tab.
* The screen shift commands, formerly Esc-arrow key, are now Alt-arrow
key, and work only with the grey arrows of the AT keyboard.
* The MenuBar {sCreen:} selection has been renamed to {View:}.
VINST 1.71
* In addition to the new "Esc key" aliases, function key definitions now
offer twice as much available space. VINST can read and convert .VDF files
from previous versions.
* There is a new video installation for the Diamond Speedstar VGA board,
and a new printer driver for the HP Laserjet 4P printer.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VDE 1.7
* VDE now offers an integrated spelling checker for registered users.
AltH checks one word, AltJ checks the rest of a document.
* A new command ^OU toggles display of function key labels on the bottom
line of the screen.
* There is no more "MenuBar MODE", determining how the [Esc] key
functions. Instead, the menus are always available, invoked by ^[Esc] or
L.Shift-Esc.
* The "Macro keys" Esc0-Z, which existed to support non-PC compatibles,
have been removed, along with ".VDK files". The autoexec macro Esc0 has been
replaced by the ability to designate any one of the function keys as autoexec.
The Esc& command now requires a function keyname, for example "Esc&^F7" to
chain to Ctrl-F7.
* The Esc$ command has a new argument, "$" (Esc$$), to cancel special
error handling in macros, returning to halting on any error.
* The print command ^KP now reads an empty init string ('' alone) as a
request not to send the init string built into the driver. If desired, this
can be followed (after a space) by another non-empty init string '...', to use
as a substitute.
* The find/replace functions ^QF/^QA now use option "I" for Ignore-case
(instead of "U"ppercase as before). Also, ^QA no longer has an "A"lign
option; realignment simply depends on whether AutoFormat is on.
* The menubar selection {File:neW} now performs the ^KD function, not ^KL
(it saves the current file, instead of abandoning it).
* Several minor changes in key usage have been made, including ^[Break]
(instead of ^U as before) to abort command input.
* A new version 1.2 of the CTRLCAPS utility provides a complete swap of
functions between the [Ctrl] and [CapsLock] keys. Many users requested this
change from the previous dual function of the [CapsLock] key.
VINST 1.7
* The "Generic ANSI.SYS" installation is no longer available. As of VDE
1.7B, the HP95LX and 100LX palmtops are no longer automatically detected; they
must be selected as "not-quite-compatibles" in VINST.
* There are three new User Options: to prompt for a filename to edit if
none was specified on the command line; to choose the character to use for the
strikeout effect (^PX); and to determine whether Cut (AltC) also deletes the
block. There is no longer a choice for the function of the ^[BkSp] key.
* VINST offers new printer drivers for Canon Bubblejet and LBP laser
printers, and the C.Itoh 8510/NEC 8023 dot matrix printer.
* VINST 1.7 can, as usual, read and convert .VDF files from previous
versions. Because their internal structure was identical, you can also rename
any .VDK files to ".VDF" and read them as function key definitions.
VINST 1.7A will now allow you to enter a function key definition up to
255 bytes long (not just 127); and when editing definitions, [Enter] alone now
works as it does elsewhere, leaving the existing definition (or label, or Q/N
option) unchanged. To blank (remove) the definition, use ^[Enter]. To blank
the label or Q/N status, use [Space].
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VDE 1.65C
Releases 1.65A-C are minor updates with largely internal improvements.
In 1.65B, there were a few changes in VDE's handling of DOS file attributes:
VDE will no longer edit Hidden or System files; the ^KO command can no longer
unprotect a file with the DOS Read/Only attribute; and when you load a file
that causes a "Graphics Overflow" error, the text will become R/O, not
"untitled". In 1.65C, the menubar selection {File:neW} performs the ^KD
function, not ^KL (it now saves the current file, instead of abandoning it).
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VDE 1.65
* There is a new "Protected mode", toggled by the command ^KO. When
engaged, the flag "R/O" (for Read/Only) displays alone in the header, and no
commands that would modify the file will be accepted.
If you load a file with the DOS R/O attribute, protected mode will engage
automatically. See PROTECTED MODE.
* In the File Browser, the plus key "+" acts to tag or untag files. You
can tag as many files as VDE has room to load. When files are tagged, you can
load them all with the ^T key. See FILES.
* You can invoke the File Browser from the command line by entering VDE
with a command like VDE *.DOC. See SYNTAX, FILES.
* A new feature has been added to filename parsing: you can include a
number in square brackets immediately after the name, and when the file is
loaded the cursor will be placed at that line (for nondocuments; page, for
documents.) This works on the command line and at any VDE prompt. Examples:
C>VDE PROGRAM.C[1204] Starts at line 1204
Load new file(s): MY.DOC[20]/D Starts at page 20
The filemode, if specified, must come afterwards. See SYNTAX.
* A number of MenuBar entries have been redesigned. See MENUBAR MODE.
VINST 1.65
* The quote key used by VINST for alphanumeric data entry in hex strings
is now ['], which most people think of as the "single-quote", instead of [`]
as before. Also, the double-quote ["] can now be used to duplicate the
previous value. See RUNNING VINST.
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