dmak@lynx.northeastern.EDU (07/23/88)
This is for all ST users with 1st Word Plus from GST. There's a
bug in their "WORDPLUS.RSC" file where the templates for the
"editable string" fields in the dialog box for headers and
footers aren't set correctly. This dialog can be reached through
the menu item "Layout" under the selection "Page Layout". If the
user were to try typing on any of the "_____________..." lines,
nothing would change. The problem is that the template for this
string is a series of underscore characters -- not legal as
validation characters. Instead, the character "X" should be
used. I fixed my copy using Mark Williams Co's new resource
editor that came with Mark Williams C v3.06 (great package!).
I'm not too sure how this would be accomplished using another
editor, but with MWC, the problem dialog is dialog #9.
How did I find this bug?? I was minding my own business one day, playing
"Typhoon Thompson" (a new game from Broderbund soon to be released) at the
computer store I work at when a customer walks in and yells something to
the effect of: "Hey you!! You guys sold me a @*#& bug ridden word
processor!! I have a doctoral thesis to write, and if I can't do it, I'm
going to sue...." After she calmed down a bit, and explained her problem
(couldn't change the page numbering from default of centered footer to
right justified header) we tried it out.. Funny I said to myself... It
won't allow me to enter anything on the editable strings in that dialog.
Hmm... could it be a bad resource?? At this point, I prayed out loud they
(GST) used a resource file (unlike some others). "Quit All", back to the
desktop, look in the directory... whew! Now I load the resource editor,
search for the suspect dialog, find it, check the string object and BANG..
I found the bug! Well, well... customer leaves happy and awed by the
technical prowess of the staff. Point of all this?? This is one time
when I actually appreciate GEM. All hail the resource file!
I'm sure Mac users discovered this joy of end-user debugging long ago tho.
Dave Mak
Internet: dmak@northeastern.edu
US MAIL: David Mak
Bit Bucket
1294 Washington ST.
West Newton, MA 02165