README TEXT FILE READER (RTFR!) V1.00
By JC @ Basic Bites 2022/12/03
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(For C64, C128, VIC-20, & 264 Series)
RTFR is not just another sequential text file viewer. I wrote it so that I (and you!) can include a README.TXT on distribution disks, and the end user can quickly view it by simply LOADing & RUNning "README" -- with proper word wrapping, pausing between screens, and option to print a hard-copy!
FREEWARE LICENSE: Permission is granted to anyone to use this software for any purpose, including commercial applications, and to redistribute it freely. Modifying the binaries is not permitted.
DISCLAIMER: This software is provided 'as-is', without any express or implied warranty. In no event will the author be held liable for any damages arising from the use of this software.
-= USAGE =-
This disk contains 4 "RTFR *" binaries for the Commodore 64, 128, VIC-20, and 264 Series. There is also a "README" loader written in BASIC; its only purpose is to detect the machine type and run the appropriate binary.
If your disk is only intended for use on ONE machine type, then you only need to transfer ONE file -- not all 5! Additionally in this case, a file copying program is not required.
E.G.- For a C64 disk, simply LOAD "RTFR 64" then SAVE it to your disk as "README". The C64 user can then just LOAD & RUN "README". It's that easy!
However, if you are making a "universal" disk to run on all supported machines, a file copier should be used to transfer the 5 files, since LOAD & SAVE will alter the load addresses of the binaries for the other machine types (although that shouldn't actually create an issue unless the end user tries to directly LOAD a binary with ",8,1" rather than ",8").
Of course, you can also choose a subset (e.g.- RTFR 64 & 128 only). In this case, you should edit the "README" loader, and delete the lines of BASIC pertaining to the other machine types.
-= FILE TYPES =-
Your README.TXT can be of type SEQ, USR, or PRG; RTFR will auto-detect.
It should be a plain text file containing only visible PETSCII characters & carriage returns -- even though RTFR endeavours to filter invalid characters, control codes, etc.
Many word processors have a compatible option such as "Save as Sequential", "Save as ASCII", or "Print to File".
The 2-byte load address at the beginning of PRG files will be stripped off. This makes RTFR compatible with the text files saved by the Notepad feature in THE FINAL CARTRIDGE III (don't program without it)!
If RTFR fails to display the first 2 characters of your PRG-type text file, then it is not a valid PRG, and should have its type changed to SEQ or USR.
-= TECHNICAL INFORMATION =-
Written on a Commodore 64C in pure BASIC V2 (yes, really)!
The (un-released) source PRG file was compiled using BASIC-64 (C64), BASIC-128 (C128), Austro-Comp (VIC-20), and Austrosimple (264 Series). The latter two were achieved virtually with VICE xvic & xplus4.
RTFR not only detects the machine type, but also its active screen size, making it reasonably compatible with WINDOWs in BASIC V7 on the C128.
The 'Print' feature assumes a CBM-compatible printer in 80-column text mode, regardless of screen size.
C128 users can save keystrokes by typing RUN "README" instead of (D)LOAD. N.B.- BASIC-128 rearranges RAM such that RTFR cannot be RUN multiple times after a single LOAD in C128 mode.
-= VERSION HISTORY =-
V1.00 - 2022/12/03
- Initial Release!
- Supports C64, C128, VIC-20(+8K), & 264 Series.
- Opens SEQ, USR, & PRG files.
- Detects screen/window size.
- Word-wraps lines.
- Pauses between screens.
- Filters invalid characters.
- Fills a screen in about 5 seconds.
- Can print to CBM-compatible printers.
-= SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION =-
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