Re: DOS v Win encoding

["Patricia M. Godfrey" priscamg@xxxxxxxx]

Robert Holmgren wrote:
> > Does this work on dial-up too? Obviously, one would have to be
> > online at the time.
>
> It works if you're connected. (Strong temptation to be
> sarcastic here, but I'm resisting it mightily.)
Be sarcastic if you want; I can take it. But WHY? I _said_ one
would have to be online (=connected). Is there, perhaps, some
subtle geekish distinction between "online" and "connected"?
>  Desktop windows require installation, in the system
> Fonts folder, via the folder's Install New Font utility, of 1252
> console font(s), like the one attached hereto. Then, with
> XyWrite already running in a window, right-click the upper-left
> icon of the window ==> Properties ==> Font ==> select Raster
> fonts ==> Size 9x16 ==> at bottom of tab it should say "Selected
> Font: cP1252". Manuel made a nice large 1252 font, that almost
> fills the Desktop @ 1280x1024. There are other choices as well.

OK, that's crystal clear, but what did you mean on 6/4/08, when
you said:
> > > > The factory-supplied screen fonts for DOS windows are all
437 or 850 unless you use TrueType fonts -- not raster!

Because Windows IDs the font you sent as raster, not TT.

Lucida Console IS a TT font, no? But Manuel pointed out that it
doesn't work.
Being by this point terminally confused, I decide to experiment.
I'm hampered by not being able to type in char numbers (because
the laptop lacks a numberpad), but I created a short file over at
the office, with some char values and their ASCII/Speedos numbers
and ANSI ones (based on the chart in Help Ansity).

So in Vista, if I either
1. Shell to DOS, type CHCP 1252, and return to Xy, leaving my
font at the usual Lucida Console
or
2. Change my font from the font tab of the titlebar properties
page of Xy's running VDM (without issuing the CHCP command) from
my usual Lucida Console to the "raster" (per M$) font Robert sent
EITHER WAY, I apparently get ANSI: the ANSI chars display as they
should. (N.B., that on the W2K box, where I created the file,
they didn't all display correctly: some did, some didn't. I
assume an earlier implementation of M$'s proprietary CP.)
What is going on here? Or have I all this time misunderstood the
distinction between TT and raster fonts? Remember, I'm running in
a window, not full screen (cannot in Vista, but I never do).
> > and the ruler line?
>
> VA$TB

OK, I had found WB and RL, but not TB. Thanks.
> Look, if you're tempted to convert to 1252 -- and it seems to me
> that anyone working ONLY on the Desktop AND working in
> international languages other than English is NUTS not to change
> to 1252, since that is the standard for all Windows programs --
> then you have to do it whole-hog.

I do understand that, but it is a time-consuming process (not
that you haven't done a _lot_ of the work for us, and we're
grateful). And time is something I'm chronically (pun intended)
short of. I started playing with it now just because Bill Troop
was running under Vista, and very few others are, so I thought I
might be able to help out.
--
Patricia M. Godfrey
priscamg@xxxxxxxx