SPECTRUM VERSION 2.0
Seven Hills Software
Copyright (c) 1995 Apple Users' Group, Sydney
Republished from Applecations, a publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia.
Version 2.0 fixes the little "quirks" that were discovered after releasing version 1.0. Although most of you have probably never experienced these problems, here are some highlights:
+ Compressing Spectrum with HardPressed is no longer a problem; Spectrum is quite happy running in compressed form.
+ Spectrum's rBundle has been fixed so your Desktop file won't get bigger each time Spectrum is launched.
+ The "black text" and bogus memory errors when opening Editor files has been fixed.
+ Downloaded files always go into the correct folder.
+ Fixed a problem that could have corrupted some memory when creating or editing a phonebook entry.
+ The "Copy File" script command can now copy even very large ("tree") files, where previously it showed an "access not allowed" error.
BUT VERSION 2.0 IS NOT MERELY A "BUG FIX" VERSION!
We jumped from v1.0 to v2.0 because of all the new features and capabilities we crammed into Spectrum!
Here's an EXTREMELY short list of "new or changed features":
+ Spectrum v2.0 plays its sounds by event number, which means you can use the Sound CDEV to pick which sound is associated with each event.
+ Resuming Zmodem now works with GEnie, and is even more reliable on all systems when receiving unique files that happen to be named the same.
+ The Scrollback buffer can now be set to contain the "filtered" data (just like the Capture buffer) or the "raw" data (just like version 1.0).
+ Most Online Displays now support an EDITABLE chat line (using the Arrow keys).
+ Each Online Display has been updated to some degree. One big improvement to the Spectrum SHR displays is that they now show _23_ lines down!
+ Phonebook entries can remember an Online Display choice.
+ Scripts execute up to 300% faster than they did in version 1. WOW!
THE SCRIPTING LANGUAGE ALSO HAS A *BUNCH* OF NEW FEATURES!
These new features will benefit you even if you don't write scripts, because people are already writing useful scripts for working on services such as GEnie.
Here are a few of the new scripting capabilities:
+ Use any reasonable number of NAMED variables (no longer limited to variables 0 through 9)!
+ Create up to 32 "HitZones" so your script can respond to mouse clicks.
+ Work with "Spectrum External Commands" (XCMDs), which greatly extend Spectrum's capabilities. For example, a "Line Edit" XCMD lets scripts display a custom window with up to 8 LineEdit boxes (the script specifies the labels and the kind of data to enter).
Other XCMDs include:
AlertWindow - gives scripts COMPLETE access to the AlertWindow tool call
Chatterbox - lets scripts manage "private" messages while in a live chat, by displaying each private chat in its own custom window)
Debug - helps script authors to debug their scripts
HodgePodge - several utilities, such as number conversions, text conversions, etc.
Inform - display a custom window containing a Teach file
Lister - lets scripts manage lists of information, and lets the user interact with them in a custom window
RadioCheck - display a window with radio buttons and checkboxes
rVersion - reads rVersion info out of files which contain that info
ScriptEditor - access advanced TextEdit tool functions
Speech - speak any given phrase, IF Byte Works' "Talking Tools" is installed
Twilight II - controls the Twilight II screen blanker so it blanks only at appropriate times, and completely inactivates it during file transfers
XLoader - provides an easy way to activate and inactivate Spectrum External Commands while using Spectrum
===== UPGRADING INFORMATION =====
Upgrade from Spectrum version 1.0 to Spectrum version 2.0 for the Special
Introductory Price of just US$25!*
If you purchased Spectrum in Dec94 or Jan95 then the upgrade is free*; see
the end of this message for further details.
If you do not already own Spectrum, TRADE UP from your current
telecommunications program for just US$60--just tell us what you're currently
using!*
*Plus shipping & handling; keep reading...
===== HEY, CHECK THIS OUT! =====
We've got two great deals that anyone can take advantage of (though they
apply mostly to Spectrum):
DEAL #1 -- BALLOON is a new desk accessory (NDA) that lets you easily create and maintain NuFX (ShrinkIt) archives on your IIGS. Because Balloon is a NDA, you don't have to quit Spectrum (or any other IIGS application) just to pack or unpack files!
Dealing with NuFX archives has never been easier. In the Finder you double-click an archive and instantly see what's in it...and extract the files right there! And creating an archive is just as easy--simply highlight some icons then choose "Archive Files" from the Extras menu.
Now, that's cool enough, but it gets EVEN BETTER: With Balloon you also get a Spectrum External Command (XCMD) that transparently keeps track of all the files you download. As soon as you log off and it's "safe" to unpack, Balloon pops open and automatically unpacks the files you received! {Of course there are preferences to tailor Balloon to your desires...opt for the completely automatic/no prompting/automatic extraction of your archives, or go with full prompting, or something in between.}
The Balloon XCMD even adds several new commands to Spectrum's scripting language! That right, with Balloon and the Balloon XCMD, you can write script to open existing archives, create new archives, add files to archives, and extract files from archives.
Joe Wankerl at GS+ Magazine wrote this great utility, and you can purchase it from EGO Systems for US$25...OR you can take advantage of the special deal we've worked out, where you can purchase it direct from Seven Hills Software for only US$18!*
*Plus shipping & handling; keep reading...
DEAL #2 -- TALKING TOOLS is set of system tools which provide "voice
synthesis" (computer-generated speech) for your Apple IIGS! Because the
speech is computer-generated instead of being recorded, these tools let you
speak ANY phrase at will.
To make this happen we created the "Speech" external command for Spectrum
v2.0. Using the Speech XCMD you can control various speech settings (Male or
Female voice, pitch, volume, etc.), and you can write scripts that actually
SPEAK to you!
This capability is fun, but it's also useful. Imagine being able to truly
_listen_ to a GEnie Roundtable while doing something else (building a model,
reading the newspaper, etc.)!
Because Ewen Wannop wrote the Speech XCMD which controls the speech tools, we
are able to provide the Speech XCMD for FREE with Spectrum v2.0. But the XCMD
won't do diddly unless you've actually got the speech synthesis tools from
Byte Works.
You can purchase "Talking Tools" from Byte Works for US$35...OR you can order
direct from Seven Hills Software and get it for just US$25!*
*Plus shipping & handling; keep reading...
===== GREAT! WHERE DO I SEND MY MONEY? =====
When you place an order please give us:
+ Your name
+ Your complete address
+ Your area code and phone number
+ What you are ordering and how much you expect to pay*
+ Your Visa/MasterCard/Discover card number WITH expiration date
(we DO accept checks and money orders by mail)
* Add US$3.50 for shipping and handling
Seven Hills Software
2310 Oxford Road
Tallahassee, FL 32304-3930
(904)575-2015 fax
(904)575-0566 phone
sevenhills@aol.com
IMPORTANT:
If you qualify for the free Spectrum upgrade (i.e., you purchased Spectrum in Dec94 or Jan95) we need a photocopy of your dated sales receipt UNLESS you purchased directly from Seven Hills Software.
If you did NOT purchase Spectrum directly from us then you MUST submit your order (with dated sales receipt) either by mail or by FAX.
If you DID purchase Spectrum directly from us then you may submit your order by any method, but be sure to tell us you're eligible for the FREE upgrade, and to look up the invoice in our records.

THIS CONTENT COPYRIGHT © 2007, APPLE MACINTOSH USERS' GROUP, SYDNEY
Permission has been obtained to make this material available on the Internet.

Permission is hereby granted for non-profit user groups to republish this content.
PLEASE CREDIT THE AUTHOR AND THE SOURCE: Applecations, publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia

THIS PAGE COPYRIGHT © 2007, ANDREW ROUGHAN