There probably still are users that have doubts about the upgrade to the
Xy4 Service Pack. It has been around for two years now. My approach to
Xy4 was one of a NB3/Xy3+ user, I had minimal Xy4 experience. I used to
load my personal routines, printer files, and custom keyboard from
startup.int. My NB3 menu system was totally home-made and custom. Many
Xy4 users still have Xy3 keyboard files and other custom routines in
their setup.
There are two editions of Xy4 Service Pack (the Service Pack proper,
version 5.03, and the Update, version 5.02). They are essentially the
same but targeted to two different audiences. Version 5.03 is for the
general user that just writes and rarely thinks about the nitty-gritty
of his/her setup. Version 5.02 is for the tech guy who reads every
detail of the documentation and wants to piece together his/her own
setup from the ground up.
A user like me (a typical Xy3+/NB3 guy) can benefit from using version
5.03. The setup is totally automated and ready-to-run. Adding my custom
stuff afterwards is relatively easy. Put your keyboard file name in
startup.int. Most Xy3+ routines should run ok. Old printer files are
useless in this environment, indeed, one should manage printer files
using the menus. The menus have all the relevant printer files
(Ghostscript or PCL, GS is the default). One important consideration is
code page selection when installing. If you need line draw, select
CP437. If you need a wider selection of (upper) accented characters,
select CP850 or both (CPs can be installed in parallel). In both cases,
Ghostscript or PCL support works without a hitch. No more missing
characters! Characters that are not in your keyboard file can be easily
input using the menus (Insert, Special Character...). They have first
the characters that belong to the code page, and even the Bitstream
additions from other code pages as numerical codes, printable provided
you use Bitstream fonts and PCL mode. There is even an Insert, Accents
menu that knows how to make accented characters that belong to the code
page and even those that belong to other code pages and show as
numerical codes.
The service pack wants to be an essential upgrade that respects the
XyWrite tradition. A big part of this upgrade is the detailed
documentation. It is located in the vDos+ folder named Documentation
(try typing 'Documentation' in Windows search). Screen_CPs.pdf shows all
the different CPs that can be installed and what languages are
supported. Actual output of a given installed CP using GS or PCL printer
files is shown in files like GS_CP437.pdf and PCL_CP437.pdf (for CP437).
Download locations:
https://www.lexitec.fi/xywrite/vDosPlus503_SP_Setup.zip
https://www.lexitec.fi/xywrite/vDosPlus502_Setup.zip
Best regards,
Kari Eveli
LEXITEC Book Publishing (Finland)
lexitec@xxxxxxxxxx
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