DeScribe 5 - Tips and Techniques

Checking for Correct Operation

This bulletin is a description of what you will see on your screen after installation and some suggestions for testing for correct operation. Please note that not all hardware will correctly support all DeScribe features.

What You See When You Start DeScribe

The steps below detail what you will see on your screen when DeScribe starts. See Page 17 of the User Guide for a n example of what this screen looks like. Please note: The list below assumes that you are using color video.

  1. The DeScribe 5.0 Logo draws in a purple or magenta.
  2. The Title bar appears in a dark blue at the top of the screen which says "DeScribe 5.0 - Untitled #1".
  3. The Menus appear below this.
  4. The DeScribe Custom Tools appear (a string of picture icons).
  5. A Ruler should appear that shows some Tab and Indent markers on it.
  6. The DeScribe Style Palette appears in the upper right hand corner.
  7. You should see a Scroll bar to the right and a Status line which begins with "Text line...".
  8. The default layout named "Document" will show with an End of Frame (text) marker (a small sun sign) appearing in the upper left-hand corner just inside a Red Frame border that runs approximately 1 inch below the ruler and almost to each side of the display.
  9. The Cursor should appear to the left of the End of Frame marker and should be blinking.

Entering Information in DeScribe and Testing Printing

Once the above is completed, you should be able to type characters into DeScribe and see them appear on the screen.

After entering in some text, you can attempt to print the document you are using with File-Print.-Document. You may also wish to go to File-Printer Setup, and select a specific printer if you have several printers on your system. If this prints correctly, you can attempt to print the "SAMPLE" document (detailed below).

If you receive an error message when you print or when accessing the Printer Setup dialog, particularly an Access violation, chances are that there is a problem with the printer driver you are using, and/or the printer driver configuration. Please see Technical Bulletin 500020 for information on Access violations and Technical Bulletin 500201 for information on correct configuration of the Printer Driver.

Testing Your Printer Capabilities with the SAMPLE Document

DeScribe was designed to support many features which are available in your operating system, or on other operating systems we support, but not all hardware will support all these operating system functions. The "SAMPLE" document located in the Data directory was designed to show you all the possible capabilities in DeScribe. You may discover that a few or many of the demonstrated features in this document do not work properly.

If something looks correct on the screen, but does not print, chances are there is a deficiency in your printer or printer driver. If something looks out of place on screen, but prints correctly, there may be a problem in your video and/or video adapter driver. Also, different fonts may not support the display of all the characters in all the sizes shown in the document. Errors may occur when you print this document that may revolve around problems with fonts, font support, and font installation.

To Print the Sample document:

  1. Choose File-Open.
  2. Make certain you are in the Data directory, and select Sample.
  3. Click OK.
  4. Carefully review the document to see how it appears on screen. Note anything strange.
  5. Choose File-Print-Document.
  6. Carefully review the document to see how it printed.
    The document you see and the document that prints will match if your printer and other equipment supports all of the DeScribe features.

Check for Correct Spell Checking Operation

Spell checking is accessed via the Words menu or the icon on the Custom Tools. To check for correct operation, enter a misspelled word in your document. It must not be another word. (For example: Use the word "timex" this is not a word in the dictionary, though it is a proper name.)

Check for Spell check operation

  1. Enter a misspelled word in your document. For example type: "timex".
  2. Use Spell from the Custom Tools or Words-Spell document.
    DeScribe should locate the word "timex" and bring up the spell dialog.

All material contained in these pages is the exclusive property of DeScribe, Inc.
All rights reserved.