
            MyRef LETTER WRITING AND FILING PROGRAM

                      INSTRUCTION MANUAL

     The diskette delivered with this manual contains the MyRef
program, data files, some demonstration files, and text file
extracts from this manual:

     MYREF.TXT      A description of the MyRef writing and filing
                    system.

     REGISTR.TXT    How to register as a MyRef user and obtain
                    program updates, or to request site licencing
                    information.

     MANUAL.TXT     How to install and use MyRef to write and
                    file letters.

MyRef DESCRIPTION


MyRef is a program for writing letters and filing them by
reference number. The filed letters can be retrieved from a
list of reference numbers displayed on the screen. 


You can type a letter or memo and give it a reference number,
print and mail it, transfer it to a fax or E-mail directory,
and file it in the MyRef system. When you receive a reply to
your letter quoting your reference number, you can look up the
reference number on MyRef and retrieve your copy of the letter
you sent. This copy can be displayed, printed, or copied but
it cannot be altered and the original remains on file.


The MyRef mini text processor is a three layer processor (like
three transparencies laid on top of each other). You can see
all three layers but you only type on one layer at a time.
Layer 1 is used for the text of the letter, layer 2 is used
for introducing boiler plate (stock letter material), and
layer 3 shows you the page format (lines drawn on layer 3
serve as margins, tabs, and columns for the other layers).
Layers 1 and 3 are always displayed but layer 2 is only
displayed when it is the current layer or when it is being
copied. The layer you are working on (the current layer) is
high-lighted. Any layer can be made the current layer and it
can be typed on, copied to, or cleared. All three layers
normally scroll together but layer 2 can be locked so that
stock text can be positioned for copying into your letter.


Vertical lines drawn on the layer 3 become margins for it and
the other layers and, although they can be seen while the
letter is being typed, they do not need to appear in the
finished letter. In this way a page, or part of a page, can be
divided into columns and boxes and each can be typed
independently of the rest of the letter. Text inserted or
deleted in a column has no effect on the other columns. This
feature can be used for address boxes and is particularly
useful for price quoting, purchase orders, billing, etc. If
you do not require columns in all or part of your letter you
can set conventional margins and use the vertical lines drawn
on layer 3 as tab stops. 

A mouse is used to select functions from a menu bar and for
erasing, copying, inserting the date and reference number,
inserting the address from a list, drawing boxes and lines,
and moving the text cursor. When the right mouse button is
held down, wiping the mouse cursor over text erases the
characters in the current layer. When the mouse copy function
is selected the mouse does not erase but copies characters to
the current layer.

MyRef does have some limitations - it does not work well on
very slow PCs and the maximum letter size is 120 lines.

MyRef files your letters (and your letters written on other
word processors) on a continuous letter file. Not by filename
and extension on conventional DOS files. It keeps a record of
their location by reference number. This record also contains
your correspondent's name and the date the letter was written.

                           CONTENTS


                       TO INSTALL MyRef                 page 1

                      TO CUSTOMIZE MyRef                page 1

                        TO START MyRef                  page 2

                      THE MyRef MENU BAR                page 2

                     OTHER MOUSE FUNCTIONS              page 5

                      KEYBOARD FUNCTIONS                page 5

                  CURSOR POSITION INDICATORS            page 6

                           TUTORIAL                     page 7




TO INSTALL MyRef:

     The program and data files should be transferred to a
directory on your hard disk called C:\XLAY. To do this, type
INSTALL while the program diskette is still in the drive, or
type the following routine:

     MD C:\XLAY     Make a directory called XLAY on drive C:
     COPY *.XLY C:\XLAY
     COPY *.COM C:\XLAY
     COPY *.EXE C:\XLAY
     COPY *.XBP C:\XLAY
     COPY *.PAR C:\XLAY
     If you wish to transfer the text files, type:
     COPY *.TXT or COPY *.WPD

     If your printer requires an initialization file this
should be copied to C:\XLAY and renamed INIT.BIN. 

TO CUSTOMIZE MyRef

     Type MYSET to set MyRef to suit your system. This program
displays a menu screen that allows you to make the MyRef
program compatible with the video adapter in your PC (VEGA or
Hercules, monochrome or color). The directories used for
storing temporary files of letters to be faxed or E-mailed can
be changed to your requirements, and you can set the date
format used by MyRef.

TO START MyRef

     Type MYREF to start the program and with the reference
number series that was last used. A new copy of the program
will use Ref: numbers prefixed with XLY0, starting with
XLY0001. You can choose a different Ref: number prefix by
typing MYREF followed by your own four character prefix:

     MYREF <Enter>
     Starts MyRef and activates the Ref:number series that was
     last used.

     MYREF FS_4 <Enter> (for example)
     Starts MyRef and creates or activates Ref:number series
     FS_4. The first number in this series will be FS_4001.

     You can use any combination of four letters and figures
to create a Ref: number series - PUNCTUATION MARKS AND LOWER
CASE LETTERS ARE NOT ALLOWED. If you try to use punctuation
marks or lower case letters you will get an error message.

     When MyRef is loaded and ready to use, the MyRef menu bar
is displayed at the top of the screen along with a copyright
message. The copyright message will disappear as soon as you
move your mouse and the mouse cursor position will be shown,
in inches, above the menu on the left side of the screen. A
text cursor position indicator (in lines and columns) will
also appear when the text cursor is moved.

THE MyRef MENU BAR.

     All the functions for writing and filing letters are
displayed on a menu bar at the top of the screen. To call a
function, move the mouse cursor on to the appropriate menu box
and press the left mouse button.

     The menu functions are (from left to right):

     L1, L2, L3:    These three functions set the current
     layer. Layer 1 is where you type your letter, layer 2 is
     for copying stock pages, and layer 3 is used for the page
     format. Select the current layer by moving the mouse
     cursor onto L1, L2, or L3 and press the left mouse
     button.

     TEXT:     "Mouse" this function to exit from any other
     function. "Mouse" it again to set the margins. Repeated
     calls will cycle through all the margin functions,
     displaying a message to tell you how to use each
     function. Left and right margins are set by moving the
     mouse cursor in the text area to where you want to set
     the margin. Top and bottom margins are set in inches.

     DRAW:     This function allows you to draw lines and
     rectangles on the current layer by marking two points
     with the mouse. For horizontal and vertical lines - mark
     the ends with the mouse. For rectangles - mark opposite
     corners. Lines and rectangles can be extended by
     scrolling the screen with the text cursor keys (the mouse
     page position is shown in inches above the menu bar).
     The function will toggle between "lines" and "rectangles"
     each time you "mouse" the DRAW function. To quit drawing,
     "mouse" the TEXT function.

     COPY:     "Mouse" this function to copy to the current
     layer from either of the other two layers, or to clear
     the current layer. Repeated calls to COPY will cycle
     through the different possibilities. When you confirm a
     copy function you are asked if you wish to copy the
     entire page. If you confirm, all the characters, but not
     the spaces, are copied onto the current layer (for
     layer 2, they are moved, not copied). If you do not
     confirm the entire page copy, and "mouse" COPY again, you
     can copy characters by wiping over them with the mouse
     while the right-hand mouse button is held down.
          Note that although layer 2 is hidden, it will be
     displayed when "copy layer 3" is active.
          Pages to be copied from layer 2 can be positioned
     vertically by using the <Scroll Lock> key. When this key
     is pressed layer 2 does not scroll with the other two
     layers but remains fixed while layers 1 & 2 are scrolled
     up and down the screen with the up and down arrow keys.
          To quit COPY, "mouse" TEXT.

     LOAD:     This function is used only after a DIR function
     call to get pages from stock. It is described with the
     DIR function, below.

     SAVE:     "Mouse" this function to save pages for stock.
     Stock pages can be letters, format pages, or forms. The
     margin settings are saved with the pages. After typing a
     page, or making up a format page with the DRAW function,
     call SAVE to save it in the "boiler plate" file. A
     message will ask you to give a name to the page and MyRef
     will add the extension. Stock pages saved in this way can
     be recalled with the DIR function and used in your
     letters.

     PRNT:     This is the print function. It uses the DOS
     PRINT program (PRINT.COM) to print new or filed pages.
     PRINT.COM must be installed before using this function
     (your DOS manual explains how to do this). When PRNT is
     "moused" it displays a message asking if you wish to
     print the displayed text. If you confirm, the letter
     shown on the screen will be printed with whatever top and
     bottom margins you have set with the TEXT function.
           If you "mouse" PRNT again it displays a message
     asking if you wish to print by reference number.
     Confirming this option displays a list of all your filed
     letters, then you can use the up and down cursor keys to
     select the letter you wish to print. Press <Enter> to
     print the letter.

     DIR:      "Mouse" this function to display the directory
     of stock pages, select the page with the cursor keys,
     then press <Enter>. The LOAD function then becomes active
     and you can decide which layer to load your page into.
     Format pages should be loaded into layer 3. Each time
     LOAD is "moused" a message tells you where the stock page
     will be loaded and asks for confirmation.

     REF:      "Mouse" this function to display a list of your
     filed letters. Each entry shows the reference number,the 
     date of the letter and your correspondent's name.
               Use the up and down cursor keys to select the
     letter you wish to read, then press <Enter> to display
     it.

     FILE:     "Mouse" this function to file a letter by
     reference number and correspondent's name. When you have
     typed a letter and given it a date and reference number
     with the DATE function, you can file it with this
     function. A message will ask for confirmation, then you
     are asked to enter the name of your correspondent. If you
     do not confirm, but "mouse" the FILE function again, you
     can file a letter from another source (eg. typed on a
     word processor). In this case, the letter must be a DOS
     format ASCII text file and you must enter its path and
     file name. You can file it under the next reference
     number in the sequence, or you can enter a different
     reference number, along with a correspondent's name or
     other information.

     DATE:     This function displays a message asking you to
     move the mouse cursor to the position in your letter
     where you wish to insert the date and reference number.
     When the mouse cursor is in position, press the left
     mouse button to insert the date and reference number into
     your letter and into the file log. The reference number
     will be automatically incremented.

     ADDR:     ADDR is the letter addressing function. It
     gives two possibilities - you can edit an address list or
     you can insert an address from the list into your letter.
     Just follow the screen message instructions.

     MAIL:     Use this function to copy a letter into a fax
     or E-mail directory for subsequent transmission by fax-
     modem, modem, or LAN. The directories can be set with the
     MySet program.

     DOS:      This function allows you to leave the Myref
     program resident and return to DOS. All data remains
     intact and you can resume your letter writing and filing
     by typing MyRef. If you need to quit MyRef (if there is
     not sufficient memory to allow it to stay resident),
     press the F7 function key.

OTHER MOUSE FUNCTIONS

     CURSOR DRAG:   Move the mouse cursor onto the text cursor
     and click the left mouse button - Move the mouse cursor
     to any position on the screen and click the left button
     again - the text cursor will move to this new position.
 
     MOUSE ERASE:   Wipe the mouse cursor over text or lines
     while holding down the right mouse button. Characters and
     lines on the current layer are erased.

     MOUSE COPY:    When MOUSE COPY is selected by the copy
     function, wipe the mouse cursor over text or lines while
     holding down the right mouse button. Characters and lines
     are copied onto the current layer.

KEYBOARD FUNCTIONS

     With few exceptions, the keyboard functions are standard:

     TAB is implemented on vertical lines drawn on layer 3.

     BACK TAB (shift tab) is implemented on vertical lines
     drawn on layer 3.

     BACKSPACE acts like a left arrow key in "typeover" mode
     and as a normal backspace key in "insert" mode.

     CTRL-END deletes to the end of the line and, if the
     cursor is on the left margin, it deletes the line and
     moves the text up to fill the space.

     INS (Insert) toggles the INSERT/TYPEOVER functions. When
     INSERT is active a small black square shows in the top
     left corner of the menu bar.

     CTRL-HOME toggles the COLUMN WRAP function. When this
     function is active a small black square shows above the
     menu bar at the top left of the screen. When this
     function is not active, the text wraps around on the left
     and right margins in the normal way. When COLUMN WRAP is
     active, the text wraps around on vertical lines drawn on
     layer 3. This allows you to divide all or parts of a page
     into columns or boxes. Each column (the space between two
     vertical lines) extends:
          - To the next horizontal line,
          - To the end of the left side vertical line,
          or
          - To the end of the letter (120 lines)

     SCROLL LOCK locks the layer 2 scroll only. By locking
     layer 2 while scrolling the other layers text and lines
     on layer 2 can be positioned for moving from layer 2 to
     any vertical position on the other layers.


CURSOR POSITION INDICATORS

     There are two cursor position indicators above the menu
     bar at the top of the screen. The mouse cursor position
     is shown on the left and is given in inches. The text
     cursor position indicator is on the right and shows:

          The current layer
          The page number
          The line number on the page
          The column number
          The size of the top margin.
TUTORIAL

     This is a short description of how to use MyRef to
display filed letters and how to use the various functions to
write and file new letters.

Type MYREF to start the program:

     The menu bar is displayed across the top of the screen
     along with the copyright message.

Retrieve a filed letter
Move the mouse to position the cursor on the REF: function:

     The copyright message disappears.

Press the left mouse button:

     A list of filed demonstration letters is displayed below
     the menu bar. Each entry in the list gives the reference
     number of the letter, the date it was filed, the name of
     the person who received the letter, and the name of the
     letter file in use at the time.

Use the up and down arrow keys to move the light bar to the
letter you would like to read. Then press the Enter key.

     The letter is retrieved from the file and displayed on
     the screen.

"Mouse" the REF: function again and retrieve a different
letter.

Write, print, and file a letter
Move the mouse to position the cursor on the DIR function and
press the left mouse button:

     A directory of stock pages is displayed.

Use the arrow keys to position the light bar on file XMAS.XBP,
then press <Enter>.

     The file name is displayed on the menu bar.

Move the mouse cursor onto the LOAD function and press the
left mouse button. Press it again until the message "LOAD
LAYER 1" appears.

Move the mouse cursor to the "CONFIRM" indicator and press the
left mouse button:

     A stock letter is displayed.

"Mouse" the DATE function:

     A message will tell you to position the mouse cursor
     where you wish to place the date. 

Do this and press the left mouse button.

     The date and Ref: number will appear, along with a
     message asking you to type your correspondent's name, and
     a cursor will flash in the menu bar.

Type the name of your correspondent at the cursor, then
<Enter>.

Move the text cursor with the arrow keys, or with the mouse,
and type any modifications you wish to make to the letter.

Switch on your printer.

"Mouse" the PRNT function:

     The PRINT DISPLAYED TEXT message appears.

Confirm with the mouse and your letter will be printed.

"Mouse" the FILE function to display the message:

     FILE THIS LETTER?

Confirm with the mouse and your letter will be filed.

"Mouse" the REF: function to check that your new letter is
included in the list of filed letters.


Type a letter for a window envelope.
Move the mouse to position the cursor on the DIR function and
press the left mouse button:

     A directory of stock pages is displayed.

Use the arrow keys to position the light bar on file
WIN_ENV.XBP for a window on the left of the envelope, or
EUR_WIN.XPB for a window on the right of the envelope, and
press <Enter>.

     The file name is displayed on the menu bar.

Move the mouse cursor onto the LOAD function and press the
left mouse button. Press it again until the message "LOAD
LAYER 3" appears.

Move the mouse cursor to the "CONFIRM" indicator and press the
left mouse button.

     A format page for window envelope letters is loaded onto
     layer 3 and can be seen on the screen. The margins are
     set to the values in use when the format page was made.

Now move the text cursor into the address window:
First move the mouse cursor onto the text cursor and press the
left mouse button:

     The menu bar indicators will clear.

Then move the mouse cursor into the address box:

     The menu bar indicators will restore and the text cursor
     will be positioned in the address box.

Press CTRL-HOME to activate the wrap around on vertical lines:

     A small black square will show in the top left of the
     menu bar.

Now type the address in the address box:

     Text will wrap around at the right vertical line and <CR>
     will take the text cursor to the left vertical line of
     the address box.

Press CTRL-HOME to clear the wrap around.

"Mouse" the DATE function:

     A message will tell you to position the mouse cursor
     where you wish to place the date. 

Do this and press the left mouse button.

     The date and Ref: number will appear, along with a
     message asking you to type your correspondent's name (at
     a cursor in the menu bar).

Type a name, then <Enter>.

Then move the text cursor to the start of your letter and
start typing. The tab and back tab keys will move the cursor
to the vertical lines. If you press the insert key it will
show a black square at the top left corner of the screen and
text can be inserted. Press the insert key again to return to
the "typeover" condition.

To type part of your letter in columns, press CTRL-HOME. Each
column between two vertical lines can then be typed separately
and the tab keys allow you to jump from column to column. If
you wish to have lines in the text between the columns, draw
the lines on layer 1 with the DRAW function (described below).

When you have finished the columns, press CTRL-HOME to return
to full margin width typing.

You can print your letter at any time by "mousing" the PRNT
function and confirming the PRINT DISPLAYED LETTER message.

When you are sure that your letter is finished, go to the FILE
function, but remember that once it is filed it cannot be
changed.

Drawing lines and rectangles
Use the DRAW function to draw lines and rectangles in your
letter. A message will tell you to define the start of a line
or the corner of a rectangle, "mouse" DRAW again if you wish
to change the message.

Move the mouse cursor to the point in your letter where you
wish to draw a line or a rectangle. The cursor shape will
change from a block to a cross when it enters the text area of
the screen.

Press the left mouse button to define the start of the line or
rectangle. The message will change to ask you to define the
end of the line or the opposite corner of the rectangle.

Move the mouse cursor to the point where the line must end or
where the opposite corner of the rectangle must be and press
the left mouse button. You can use the text cursor arrows to
scroll the letter if the line or rectangle must extend beyond
the displayed text.

When you have finished drawing, "mouse" TEXT.

Making pages for stock
Stock pages can be letters, format pages, or line drawings for
borders and forms.

"Mouse" the COPY function to display the CLEAR CURRENT LAYER
message, then confirm to give you a clear screen.

"Mouse" the TEXT function to leave the COPY function and
"mouse" it again to set the margins. The margin settings will
be saved with the letter or format page and restored each time
the page is used.

If you are going to make a pair of stock pages for the same
form letter - a format page and page of borders and stock text
- it is a good idea to make your format page first, on
layer 3. Then you can use it to make your stock letter page
and be sure that the two pages are in alignment. But don't
forget to save both pages with different names - FORML1 and
FORML3, for example.

Remember that text on a layer 3 format page can be seen thro'
layers 1 and 2 but does not print and is not filed with the
finished letter. This makes it possible to include notes and
instructions on a stock format page that will remind you how
to use the letter form. Or you can include, for example, a
credit card authorization box and copy it into your letter
when you need it, with the MOUSE COPY function.

