Gene.Zeak@p0.f219.n137.z1.fidonet.org (Gene Zeak) (07/25/90)
Index Number: 9512
What follows is NOT a plea for anyone's pity, but the honest
facts. From previous postings, you may already know that I am a
person disabled with Multiple Sclerosis. I want to suppliment my
meager fixed (SSDI) income ( which typically runs out the 3rd
week of the month) by writing shareware.
The type of shareware I'd most like to write is on-line help
manuals using hypertext technology (DISKREFS). Why? There are
two reasons really. One is that before the MS, I was deeply
involved in electronics, computer control, and technical writing.
Also, hypertext captures my imagination. Hypertext is sort
of like embedding the index (references) into the text so the
user (reader) can jump to a reference from where he is. I've
contacted (and arranged with) Neil Larson of MaxThink in CA so
that I can do this without violating any copyright laws.
DISKREFS would be compatible for use with screen readers as no
graphics would be involved. The Hypertext reader I would use
(and include with DISKREFS) will contain its own character
handler, so a user won't have to have ANSI loaded.
Now, I know that among all the type of sharware that's available,
this type (...information...) is probably the hardest to get paid
for...so, I need some feedback. The question is, "Is there any
interest in this sort of thing to the point of financial support
through registration?"
I plan to publish many different DISKREFS...all registrations
priced at $15.00...one for Telix, one for SALT (the Telix script
language, one for Norton's Utilities (through version 4.5), and
one for Telemate; among others.
Traditionally. something extra is offered for those who register.
Not being one to break tradition, I'll offer a very well put
together index file for those who send in their $15.00. The index
file lists virtually EVERYthing you might want to look up (by
name, of course) and tell you what file(s) it's in. Not only
that, but you can jump directly to it from the index.
Other shareware I have out is T-FIG, an interactive Telix Tutor
program that runs within Telix. I just updated it and renamed it
TF312 to reflect the update to include features of Telix through
version 3.12.
I also wrote two programs grouped together in an archive called
SHIFNSHO (distributed on SDN as SHIFTKEY). One of the programs
is SHIFTKY,COM, a program that "remembers" that a shift (Ctrl,
Alt, Shift) key was pressed and acts like it's being held down
until the next key is pressed. Great for those who can type
using only one hand. The other program included is SHOWCAP.COM.
All it does is change the cursor from a line to a block when the
CapsLock key is engaged. Keeps THIS FROM HAPPENING...
..so, I hope y'all the users of this echo) will take the time to
offer the feedback I need...thanks in advance.
Later, Gene...
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