Pictionary Text Reader 2.1(freeware)

{August/15/2K}

About the Author

Name Alexander Biemann

Occupation Student. Electrical Engineering Major.

Email ABiemann@hotmail.com

Motto By students, for Students.

Programmed on

TI89 AMS2.04 & 2.03, Hardware Revision 1.0, Using the TI-GCC C Compiler 0.7 with Library 2.1

General Info

I started programming this TEXT viewer in TI-89 basic. It was going pretty good programming wise; however, the performance was completely crap.

I looked around for an alternative programming language. I couldn’t wait for the TI-89 SDK, and I wouldn’t learn ASM in a week during my spring break (with the amount of beer I’ve drunk, I would have forgotten everything). I found TI-GCC, and decided “yeah, I know C from 5 years back”, and went to work. The result is truly cool!

Updates Since 2.0

Version 2 was the REAL release to the public.

Since version 2:

· added Page Break command (get the new Pictionary Editor!)

Program Concept

I wanted to create a text reader that provided access to a lot of data very quickly. This called for a little font and many sensible keyboard shortcuts as well as a new concept for showing text.

As a result Pictionary assigns chapter numbers at run-time (so the user doesn’t have to worry about numbers when editing the text). Page numbers are also generated at run-time. Page numbers range from 1 to x for each chapter.

People can easily share their texts with others by releasing their information as ‘modules’ (Group files if there’s pictures, otherwise just plain old .89t files).

About the Program

This program has been thoroughly tested and proved stable under many conditions. I still encourage the user to make regular backups of the calculator. I am not responsible for your loss of data if this program crashes your calculator and you need to do a reset.

Installation

Just send the group file to your calculator. (It doesn’t matter what folder).

keyboard

OFF Turn the calc off whilst using Pictionary.

ON If you pressed OFF whilst using Pictionary, then this will resume.

1 to 9 Instantly jump to chapters 1 through 9.

Left/Right Previous/Next chapter. (if there exists a previous/next chapter)

Up/Down Page up/down (if there exists a previous/next page)

F1 Jump to different chapters. (slow way, only way for 2 digit chapter #)

F2 File menu to select a file to view.

F3 (whilst viewing text) Jump back to Index screen.

How to create text files

It is possible to edit text files on the calculator or on a PC. When using the calculator just use the text editor to edit TEXT files. When using the PC use TI Graphlink. In Graphlink click FILE > NEW > DATA FILE > OK. Start typing.

ALL Pictionary text files must begin with _CHA as the first line.

All Pictionary text files must end in a blank line (otherwise the last line is not shown).

Pictionary files may be located in any folder. (images must accompany text files in same folder)

NOTE: Pictionary does NOT word-wrap (to preserve speed). It is therefore necessary to make sure that your text is broken up into lines that will fit to the screen. Pictionary Editor for windows will do this nicely. Available separately from Ticalc.org.

Text File Commands

To tell Pictionary how to organize your text you must type commands at the beginning of lines. (Readme.89t is a good example; when you install Pictionary group file you can read it using the text editor.)

_CHA<press ENTER>	Indicates a new chapter (to generate a chapter number). This command should be the only text on a line.
_TIL<space><title>	Generates a title for the index screen. Text following this command will be used as the title.
_PIC<space><PIC file-name>	Pictionary will display the picture indicated by Filename. Picture files must be in the same directory as the text file that uses it.
_BRK<press ENTER>	Makes Pictionary perform a page break. NOTE: this is not necessary if a picture is next.

Program Operation

To run the program type PICTNARY() and hit ENTER.

When you run the program for the first time you’ll need to customize it:

Type your name & press ENTER twice

Use UP/DOWN arrows to select file to view.

GUI File-Menu lists all Pictionary files on your calc!

Index screen; summarizes chapter titles.

Chapter titles are numbered (automatically)

Press F1 to view a chapter by using chapter’s number. Or press 1 to 9 to view single-digit chapter numbers.

F2 to View GUI File-Menu

Index page number. Pressing DOWN will show additional index pages (if there are any)

After you press F1 (View) you can type in the chapter’s number.

First Page of Chapter 2

Indicates where you can go.

Left/Right for Previous/Next chapters

UP/Down for Previous/Mext Pages

Page number

Chapter number

Press F3 to view index screen.

Enjoy!

Addendum

It is possible to transfer data to/from your TI89 with Graph-Link WHILST Pictionary is running. I wouldn’t transfer the same file you’re looking at though. I haven’t actually tested this feature much because it is a side-effect of the routines I’m using.