[qv]<notecards>RELEASE1.0>DOC>NOTECARDS.BRAVO!1

NOTECARDS

Documentation: [Phylum]<Doughty>Notecards.bravo
Revised: June 19, 1984 8:38 AM

1. Overview

2. NoteCards

2.1. NoteCard Types

Text

Sketch/Map

Graph

2.2. NoteCard Menu

2.3. Scrolling

3. FileBoxes

3.1. FileBox Menu

3.2. Special FileBoxes

Table of Contents

To Be Filed

Orphans

3.3. Suggested FileBoxes

Bibliography

Index

3.4. Scrolling

4. Pointers

5. Main Menu

6. Screen Management

6.1. Window Menu

6.2. Mouse Functions

7. Text Editor

7.1. Dandelion Keyboard Description

7.2. Selecting Text

7.3. Text Editing Operations

7.4. Text Editor Menu

7.5. Display/Editor Bugs and Fixes

8. Sketch/Map Editor

8.1. Sketch/Map Editing Menu

8.2. Mouse Functions

8.3. Editing Text

9. Graph Editing Menu

10. Recovering From System Bugs

10.1. Break Windows

10.2. Display/Editor Bugs and Fixes

10.3. Repair NoteFile

1.Overview

2.NoteCards

Three types of NoteCards, Text, Sketch/Map, and Graph, allow the user to store various types of information in the NoteFile. Text, graphics and combinations of the two may be entered into a NoteCard with the Text and Sketch/Map editors. In addition, the Graph editor allows the user to construct a layout of user-defined words or phrases, called nodes, which may be linked together with lines to indicate some structure. Each node may be easily moved about the card without losing its links.

NoteCards can be created by selecting Create from the Main Menu and are viewed through windows which are manipulated by a window menu (see Sections 5. Main Menu: Create and 6.1. Window Menu). Many cards or boxes may be displayed on the screen at a time, but only one may be worked on at a time.

Pointers may be inserted in each of the three types of NoteCards to signify a user-specified relationship between two cards. A pointer is represented in the NoteCard by a pointer icon. The relationship between the two cards is specified by labeling the pointer (see Sections 2.2. NoteCard Menu: Insert Pointer and 4. Pointers). In the graph editor, a pointer icon is also a node and may be linked to other nodes and pointers.

With these tools a network of NoteCards may be built to explicitly represent an analyst’s organization, understanding, and evaluation of the many pieces of information encountered while conducting an investigation or constructing a report. A network of NoteCards linked with pointers may exist locally within a single FileBox or extend across topics in the FileBox hierarchy. The network may be redefined and modified as necessary to reflect the user’s concepts of the problem as well as any inferences made about the information contained in the NoteFile.

2.1.NoteCard Types — these cards can be created by selecting Create from the Main Menu with the middle mouse button (use both buttons for middle if using a two button mouse) and choosing a card type from the sub-menu. Alternatively, the text card can be quickly created by using the left mouse button when selecting Create. (See Section 5. Main Menu: Create.)

Text — a card for entering text. (See Section 7. Text Editor for editing instructions.)

Graph — a card for creating and editing node links and graph structures. (See Section 9. Graph Editor for editing instructions.)

Sketch/Map — a card for creating and editing sketches, e.g. line drawings, that can optionally include maps. Text may also be entered into this card. Note: creating a map requires substantial machine time. (See Section 8.1 Sketch/Map Editor Menu for editing instructions.)

2.2.Selecting Cards and Boxes — Refering from one NoteCard or FileBox to another, such as File in FileBoxes, requires selection of the other card or box. Selections can be made in two ways:

1.Place the cursor in the title bar of the card or box and depress the left mouse button.

2.Place the cursor over any pointer to the card or box and depress the left mouse button.

2.2.NoteCard Menu — a list of commands by which the user manipulates a NoteCard. The menu can be displayed by placing the cursor in the title bar of the card and depressing the left mouse button. Select the desired command before releasing the button. Commands followed by a gray triangle pointing to the right have a sub-command menu that can be displayed by sliding the cursor to the right through the triangle.

The commands and their sub-commands are as follows:

Show/Edit Properties — displays above the card or box a list of attribute value properties. Included in this list are system-maintained properties such as the ID number and a list of the author, date and time of all updates to the card or box. These system-maintained properties may not be edited. In addition, the user can add or delete user-defined properties such as keywords or certainty values for the information contained in the card. The advantage of adding these user-defined properties is that they are machine readable while the text within the card is not. They will be used in the future to support machine inferences.

User-defined properties can be edited by selecting with the left button one of four commands from a menu that is displayed by placing the cursor in the title bar of the attached properties list.

Add New Property — adds user-defined properties to the property list of this card. The user is asked to type in the property name and attribute value. The user is then asked to select a property already in the list before which this new property will be inserted. The property will appear in bold type and the attribute value will appear in regular type between brackets.

Delete Selected Property — deletes a user-defined property from the property list of this card. The user is asked to point to the property to be deleted. Properties are in bold type.

Quit w/o Saving Changes — closes the display without saving any of the current changes made through the use of Add New Property or Delete Selected Property.

Quit - Saving Changes — closes the display saving all current changes made through the use of Add New Property or Delete Selected Property.

Edit Property List — same as Show/Edit Properties above.

Show Pointers — displays above the card or box a list of all pointers to and from other cards and boxes (see Section 3. Pointers). Any of these cards and boxes may be retrieved by selecting the appropriate pointer with the left mouse button. To close this display, place the cursor in the title bar of the List of Pointers, depress the left button, and select Quit from the single item menu.

Title/Sources/Fileboxes — prompts the user to do three operations: type in a title to the card, designate the sources from which the contents originated, and file the card in one or more FileBoxes. These operations may be selected individually from among the following sub-menu commands:

Assign Title — allows the user to type in a new or revised title.

Designate Sources — prompts the user to select one or more cards that contain the source of the information in the current card. The user has the option of selecting "No Source" to indicate that the contents of the current card do not point to a source of information within this NoteFile.

A pointer icon for the source card is NOT inserted in the body of the current card. The source for any card can only be displayed using the Show Pointers or Delete Source commands.

File in FileBoxes — prompts the user to select one or more FileBoxes and then files the current card in those boxes. The initial selection of this command offers the user a choice of selecting a particular FileBox or selecting "No Box." The "No Box" selection puts the card in the To Be Filed FileBox for future filing. Once a card has been filed in a FileBox, selection of this command offers the user a choice of filing the card in another box or canceling the command. A Card may also be filed in additional FileBoxes by moving or copying its pointer icon with the text editor (see Sections 7. Text Editor and 4. Pointers).

Unfile from FileBoxes — unfiles the card from selected FileBoxes. When this command is selected, a display pops up above the card to provide a list of pointers to all the FileBoxes this card is filed in. Cards may also be unfiled by deleting its pointer icon with the Text Editor (see Sections 7. Text Editor and 4. Pointers).

Delete Source — deletes a source pointer. When this command is selected, a display pops up above the card and provides a list of source pointers emanating from this card. Select the source card or its pointer icon to delete the source assignment.

Insert Pointer — inserts a pointer to another card inside the body of the current card. This type of pointer is used to indicate a relation between cards (see Sections 2. NoteCards and 4. Pointers). After this command is selected, a menu pops up with a list of Pointer Labels currently in the NoteFile. The user specifies the type of relationship by selecting a label from this list. Included in the list is the option of creating a new type of Pointer whose label will then be added to the list of labels.

After a label type has been specified, the user must choose the destination of the pointer by selecting another NoteCard. Alternatively, the user may create a new NoteCard as the destination by selecting "New Card" with the left mouse button. If this option is taken, a menu of card types pops up and the user creates the desired type of card. (See Section 2.1 NoteCard Types.)

A pointer may also be copied or moved from one card or box to another by moving or copying its icon with the text tditor. (See Sections 7.3. Text Editing Operations: Moving Text and Copying Text.)

Close and Save — saves the NoteCard or FileBox in the NoteFile before closing the card or box and removing it from the screen. Closing requires that a NoteCard have a title, have a source, and be filed in at least one FileBox. The system prompts the user if these three items have not been satisfied.

Close and Save — same as Close and Save above.

Close w/o Saving — closes the NoteCard without saving, in the NoteFile, any changes made since the last save. This is useful if text is mistakenly lost or scrambled during editing. (See section 10.3 Display/Editor Bugs and Fixes for less drastic recovery measures.)

Save in NoteFile — saves the new version of the NoteCard or FileBox without closing the card or box.

Delete Card — permanently deletes the NoteCard or FileBox from the NoteFile and all its pointers to and from other cards and boxes. Because this deletion is irreversible, the user is asked to confirm before the delete command is executed. Type a carriage return for "Yes" or type "N" and a carriage return for "No." WILL THIS BE TRUE AFTER FRANK FIXES DELETION OF A FILEBOX FULL OF NOTECARDS?

2.3.Scrolling — A NoteCard or FileBox may contain more information than currently viewed on the screen. To view more of the contents, a card or box may be scrolled up and down. When the cursor is moved slowly from inside the left edge of the card to the outside a scroll bar appears. The height of the bar represents the entire contents of the card and the grayed area represents the portion currently viewed on the screen. While the cursor is in the scroll bar it becomes a double arrow pointing up and down. When the left mouse button is depressed, the contents of the card moves up making the contents towards the end of the card visible. When the right mouse button is depressed, the contents of the card moves down making the contents towards the beginning of the card visible. Depressing the middle mouse button (depress both buttons for the middle if using a two-button mouse) scrolls to a point in the card relative to the beginning and end of the contents. In other words, pressing the middle button while the cursor is at the bottom of the scroll bar will bring the contents at the end of the card into view.

Graph or Sketch/Map cards may also be scrolled right and left. The scroll bar is viewed by moving the cursor slowly from inside the lower edge of the card to the outside. The left button moves the contents to the left; the right button moves the contents to the right; and the middle button moves to a relative point in the card.

3.Fileboxes

A FileBox contains a list of pointer icons for sub-FileBoxes (FileBoxes listed within other FileBoxes) and NoteCards. FileBoxes are designed to be organized hierarchically and to represent a topic and its sub-topics. The contents of the box may include subtopics (represented by sub-FileBoxes), the information filed under that topic (represented in the various types of NoteCards), or both subtopics and NoteCards. See Section 2. NoteCards for a non-hierarchical way of organizing cards.

FileBoxes can be created by selecting Create from the Main Menu and are viewed through windows which are manipulated by a window menu (see Sections 5. Main Menu: Create and 6.1. Window Menu). Because boxes must be put in FileBoxes, a higher-level FileBox must be displayed on the screen before creating a FileBox: initially that would be the Table of Contents FileBox. Selecting "Done" or "Cancel" from above the FileBox before selecting a parent box will close the FileBox. Many boxes and cards may be displayed on the screen at a time, but only one may be worked on at a time.

3.1.Filebox Menu — a list of commands by which the user manipulates a FileBox. The menu can be displayed by placing the cursor in the title bar of the box and depressing the left mouse button. Select the desired command before releasing the button. Commands followed by a gray triangle pointing to the right have a sub-command menu that can be displayed by sliding the cursor to the right through the triangle. For commands not defined here, the user should refer to Section 2.2. NoteCard Menu for their descriptions.

The commands and their sub-commands are as follows:

Show/Edit Properties

Edit Property List

Show Pointers

Put in FileBox — prompts the user to put a pointer to this FileBox in one or more higher level FileBoxes. A pointer can be copied or moved from one box to another by moving or copying its icon with the text editor. This is a useful alternative for Put in FileBox when putting a FileBox in additional boxes. (See Sections 4. Pointers and 7.3. Text Editing Operations: Moving Text and Copying Text.)

There is no command for removing a FileBox from another box; however, it is possible to remove a box by deleting the pointer icon with the text editor. (See Section 7.3. Text Editing Operations: Deleting Text.)

Assign Title

Close and Save

Save in NoteFile

Delete FileBox

3.2.Special FileBoxes — A new Notefile begins with three predefined FileBoxes that are necessary to the operation of the system and cannot be created or deleted by the user. These boxes can be renamed and otherwise treated as regular FileBoxes, but they have special additional properties. These boxes may be retrieved by selecting the Show Box command from the Main Menu with the middle mouse button (use both buttons for middle if using a two button mouse) and choosing the preferred FileBox from the sub-menu. Alternatively, the Table of Contents FileBox may be quickly retrieved by selecting Show Box with the left mouse button. (See Section 5. Main Menu: Show Box.)

Table of Contents — this box is the top-level FileBox of each NoteFile and is designed for storage of pointers to all FileBoxes and NoteCards on the highest level of the hierarchy. Box pointers are listed under FILE BOXES and card pointers are listed under NOTE CARDS.

Orphans — contains FileBoxes and NoteCards whose pointers have been removed from their last FileBox. This is a backup box for unintentional deletions. To permanently delete a card or box, use the Delete Card (FileBox) command (see Section 2.2. NoteCard Menu: Delete Card). Removing a pointer icon from the Orphans box with the text editor severs the card or box from the network but does not delete it from the NoteFile.

To Be Filed — this box serves as a temporary file for NoteCards that do not have specific FileBoxes pointing to them. A card may be filed in this box using several methods:

1.Choose the "No Box" option offered when first using the File in FileBox command.

2.Choose the "No Box" options offered when first using the Quit and Save command without previously filing the card.

3.Select the To Be Filed box when asked to file a NoteCard in a box.

When a card or box is later retrieved and filed in a specific FileBox, it is not deleted from the To Be Filed box. The user must manually delete the pointer icon with the text editor. (See Section 7.3. Text Editing Operations: Deleting Text.)

3.3.Suggested FileBoxes — The user may find it helpful to create the following FileBoxes for the NoteFile.

Bibliography — a FileBox for the collection of sources used in the NoteFile.

Index — a FileBox listing keywords from the NoteFile. May be helpful when using Search. (See Section 5. Main Menu: Browse/Search.)

3.4.Scrolling — see Section 2.3. Scrolling.

4.Pointers

A NoteFile is a network of FileBoxes and NoteCards linked together through a system of pointers. A box or card points to another box or card through the use of pointers which are represented in the originating box or card by pointer icons. When a pointer icon is selected, the box or card being pointed to will be displayed on the screen.

When a NoteCard or FileBox is created, it must be filed in a higher-level FileBox. The system queries the user as to which FileBox(es) the card or box should be filed in and then creates a pointer from that FileBox to the card or box. The pointer’s icon is listed in the FileBox. A pointer from a FileBox to another FileBox is a "SubBox" pointer and a pointer from a FileBox to a NoteCard is a "FiledCard" pointer.

A NoteCard may point to a source card with a "Source" pointer. A source card is created from any one of the three types of NoteCards and contains the source of the information found in the NoteCard pointing to it. The source pointer’s icon is found in the "List of Pointers" of both cards (see Section 2.2. NoteCard Menu: Show/Edit Properties). The system requires the user to choose between pointing to a source card or designating that the NoteCard have "No Source." (See Section 2.2. NoteCard Menu: Designate Sources.) Designating sources helps to maintain more complete documentation of the information as it is input in the NoteFile.

A NoteCard may also point to another card or box. This type of pointer signifies a user-specified relationship between the two cards. To be more specific about this relationship, the user selects the appropriate type of pointer by choosing from a list of pointer labels currently in the NoteFile (see Section 2.2. NoteCard Menu: Insert Pointer). Indicating relations between cards in this way allows the user to represent the structure of the notes and enables easier access to information from the NoteFile.

A pointer icon has certain characteristics which are manipulated by selecting the center of the icon with the mouse. The menus and commands follow:

Left mouse button displays the related card or box on the screen.

Middle mouse button pops up a menu with the following commands:

Bring Up Card/Box — displays related card or box. Same as using left button.

Re-label Pointer — pops up a menu of pointer labels enabling the user to change the label of the pointer.

Change Display — pops up a menu for changing the appearance of the pointer icon. The following options are available:

NoteCard Symbol — gives the pointer icon a notecard appearance.

Title of Destination — displays the title of the related card or box in a rectangle.

Pointer Label — displays the pointer label in a rectangle.

Both Title and Label — displays both the pointer label and title in a rectangle.

To edit a pointer icon select the left or right edge of the icon and use the text editor. (See Section 7.2. Selecting Text.)

Aside from the pointers mentioned above, there are a few other system maintained pointers which can be used when creating a Browse card (see Section 5. Main Menu: Browse/Search).

ListContents — refers to all cards or boxes pointed to from a Search card.

BrowserContents — refers to all cards or boxes pointed to from a Browse card.

FiledCard — refers to all cards pointed to from a FileBox.

SubBox — refers to all sub-boxes pointed to from a FileBox.

5.Main Menu

Once NoteCards is loaded, a menu is displayed with the following commands:

NoteCard Ops — used for the creation and retrieval of a NoteFile. Only one NoteFile may be open at a time. During execution of each sub-command, the system processes the information currently in the NoteFile, and displays feedback on the processing speed in the black prompt window (e.g. "Processing Number 20 of 365"). Feedback is not provided for the commands Restore From Floppy and Backup To Floppy. To cancel a command, type a carriage return. Select NoteCard Ops with the left mouse button to display the following sub-menu:

Open NoteFile — opens an existing NoteFile. The complete filename must be typed in the black prompt window.

Close NoteFile — closes the currently open NoteFile.

List NoteFiles — lists all the NoteFiles on the local disk.

Create New NoteFile — Creates a new empty NoteFile. The complete filename must be typed in the black prompt window.

Compact NoteFile — creates a new compacted version of the NoteFile. As NoteCards and FileBoxes are revised, old versions of the cards and boxes remain in the NoteFile. Compacting creates more space in the NoteFile by erasing these old versions. The complete filename must be typed in the black prompt window. Processing of the items will take 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the NoteFile.

Repair NoteFile — this command may be helpful in repairing the NoteFile when problems such as error windows occur too frequently (see Section 10. Recovering from System Bugs). It is necessary to close the NoteFile before executing this command. The complete filename must be typed in the black prompt window. The system processes the items in the NoteFile twice during this command. Reopen the NoteFile after execution.

Delete NoteFile — deletes the oldest version of the NoteFile from the local disk. The complete filename must be typed in the black prompt window. The system will ask the user to confirm by typing a carriage return for "No" or a "Y" and a carriage return for "Yes."

Restore From Floppy — retrieves a NoteFile that has been stored on a floppy. Copying from a floppy could take up to 30 minutes depending on the size of the NoteFile. The floppy must be in the drive and the complete NoteFile name must be typed in the black prompt window. An illuminated red light on the disk drive indicates that the floppy is either reading or writing.

Backup To Floppy — stores a backup NoteFile on a floppy. This second copy is recommended to help avoid losing a file due to disk errors. Copying to a floppy could take up to 30 minutes depending on the size of the NoteFile. The floppy must be in the drive and the complete NoteFile name must be typed in the black prompt window. An illuminated red light on the disk drive indicates that the floppy is either reading or writing.

Show Box — displays Special FileBoxes. (See Section 3.2. Special FileBoxes.)

Left Mouse Button — to display the special Table of Contents FileBox.

Middle Mouse Button — to display a sub-menu of the special Table of Contents, Orphans and To Be Filed FileBoxes. (See Section 3.2. Special FileBoxes.)

Create — used for the creation of new FileBoxes and NoteCards. (See Sections 2. NoteCards and 3. FileBoxes.)

Left Mouse Button — to create a Text NoteCard.

Middle Mouse Button — to retrieve a sub-menu of the various box and card types. The first three are types of NoteCards (see Section 2.2. NoteCard Types).

Text — see Section 2.1. NoteCard Types.

Graph — see Section 2.1. NoteCard Types.

Sketch/Map — see Section 2.1. NoteCard Types.

FileBox — a box for storage of other FileBoxes and NoteCards.

Browse/Search — pops ups a sub-menu from which to select Browse or Search.

Browse — creates a card which allows the user to represent and view a specified portion of the NoteFile. The user designates a starting card or box and selects the type of pointers from a provided list of pointer labels currently in the NoteFile. The system plots the structure of cards, boxes, and pointers as they are currently organized in the NoteFile. The Browse card will display all cards and/or boxes related to the starting card or box by the specified pointer label(s) (see Section 4. Pointers). The user points with the mouse to a starting box or card and selects it with the left button. Before selecting Browse, the starting card or its pointer icon must be visible on the screen to allow selection with the mouse.

The characteristics of browse are similar to a graph card in that nodes and links may be added by using the Graph Editing Menu which is retrieved from the body of the card with the right button. (See Section 9. Graph Editing Menu.) However, because these nodes and links are user-defined they will be erased when Recompute Browser is executed.

Browser Menu — For commands not defined here, the user should refer to section 2.2. NoteCard Menu for their descriptions unless otherwise noted. The commands and their sub-commands are as follows:

Recompute Browser — alters the browser to reflect the current NoteFile starting from the same card or box and following the same pointer label as originally specified.. Warning: nodes and links added or deleted through the Graph Editor commands Add Node, Add Link, or Delete Link will be erased when Recompute Browser is executed. (See Section 9. Graph Editing Menu.)

Show/Edit Properties

Edit Property List

Show Pointers

Title/Sources/Fileboxes

Assign Title

Designate Source

File in FileBoxes

Unfile from FileBoxes

Delete Source

Close and Save

Close w/o Saving

Save in NoteFile

Delete Card

Search — searches through all boxes and cards and creates a new card pointing to all cards and boxes in the NoteFile whose titles contain a string of characters provided by the user. Search is case sensitive so the string must be typed exactly as it appears in the title. The list of pointers is displayed in a Text NoteCard along with the day and time the list was compiled.

6.Screen Management

All contents of the NoteFile are viewed through windows. Windows are standard LISP facilities and are manipulated with a window menu and moved about the screen with the menu or mouse.

6.1.Window Menu — Each card or box has a window menu which is displayed by placing the cursor in the title bar of the card or box and depressing the right mouse button. Select the relevant command before releasing the button. The commands of this menu are as follows:

Close — same as Close and Save without access to the sub-menu (See Sections 2.2 NoteCard Menu: Close and Save and 6.2. Mouse Functions.)

Bury — buries the card or box under any cards or boxes it was hiding.

Redisplay — redisplays the contents of the card or box. This is useful when the contents appear garbled.

Move — moves the card or box to a location on the screen specified by depressing the left button, moving the card or box, and releasing the button.. During this time a ghost frame will indicate where the card or box will reappear when the button is released. (See Section 6.2. Mouse Functions for an alternative method.)

Shape — allows the user to specify a new shape and/or region for the existing card or box. After selecting this command with the right button there are two methods for shaping a card or box:

Left mouse button — used to move and shape a card or box. When the button is depressed, an outline appears. Place this outline at the desired location, sweep the curson down and to the right to designate the desired shape and release the button.

Middle mouse button — used to reshape a card or box without moving it. When the button is depressed the cursor will start out tugging at the nearest corner of the existing card or box. This is useful for making small adjustments to a card or box that is already positioned correctly. Release the button when the desired shape is achieved.

Shrink — shrinks the card or box down to its title bar. The card or box can be restored by selecting Expand from the window menu of the title bar.

Expand — restores the card or box associated with the title bar.

6.2.Mouse Functions — when the cursor is outside a card or box, depressing the left button will transform the cursor to a square. Two tasks can be accomplished with this square:

Move — keeping the button down, move the square through the border near the corner of the card or box to pick up a ghost frame. Move the frame to a position where the card or box will appear and release the button. (See Section 6.1. Window Menu: Move for an alternative method.)

Close — keeping the button down, pass the square several times over the card’s or box’s border. This Close is the same as Close and Save without access to the sub-menu. (See Sections 2.2 NoteCard Menu: Close and Save and 6.1. Window Menu: Close.)

7.Text Editor

TEdit is the text editor used with NoteCards and it the standard text editor of LISP. When a Text NoteCard is created, a blank card is displayed on the screen with a flashing caret indicating where to begin typing.

Edit Text — pops up three seperate menus allowing the user to change the font of selected text; font type, style and size.

Change Font — same as Edit Text above.

Advanced Editing Menu — pops up a menu enabling the user to edit a Text NoteCard or FileBox. (See Section 7.3. Text Editor Menu for editing functions.) This text editor is cumbersome; therefore, the user may want to use it only when special formatting is required.

7.1.Dandelion Keyboard Description — aside from the regular keys on the keyboard, there are several special keys which aid the user when editing a text card or FileBox. Because these keys are not obviously labeled on the keyboard a description of location is necessary.

BS — the backspace key. This key is the last key to the right in the top row of keys in the main key pad.

Ctrl — the control key. This key is located at the bottom of the right column of the left hand key pad.

Esc — the escape key. This key is the first key to the left in the top row of keys in the main key pad.

Lock — the shift-lock key. This key is the fifth key from the left in the very top row of keys.

Tab — the tab key. This key is the first key to the left in the second row of keys in the main key pad and is just under the Esc key.

Undo — the undo key. This key is the lower key of the middle column of the right-hand key pad.

Unlock — the shift-unlock key. This key is the sixth key from the left in the very top row of keys.

7.2.Selecting Text — The text editor works by operating on "selected" pieces of text. Selected text is highlighted in some way. Insertions begin at the current caret position; deletion and other operations are applied to the currently selected text. Refer to the section above describing the Dandelion keyboard for any unfamiliar keys.

Text is selected using the mouse. There are two regions within a text card: The area containing text, and a "line bar" just inside the left edge of the card. While the cursor is inside the text region, it appears as the normal up-and-left-pointing arrow. When the cursor moves into the line bar, it changes to an up-and-right-pointing arrow.

The left mouse button always selects the smallest things. In the text region, it selects the character the cursor is pointing to; in the line bar, it selects the single line the cursor is pointing to.

The middle mouse button selects larger things (select with both buttons if using a two-button mouse). In the text region, it selects the word the cursor is over, and in the line bar it selects the paragraph the cursor is next to.

The right button always extends a selection. The current selection is extended to include the character/word/line/paragraph you are now pointing at. For example, if the existing selection was a whole-word selection, the extended selection will also consist of whole words.

There are special ways of selecting text which carry an implicit command with them:

Ctrl-selection — Holding the ctrl key down while selecting text specifies a "delete" selection. The text will be shown white-on-black. When you release the ctrl key, the selected text will be deleted. To abort a ctrl-selection, release the ctrl key before releasing the mouse button. Reselect with the mouse, if necessary, to achieve this.

Shift-selection — Holding the shift key down while selecting text is a "copy-source" selection. A copy source is marked with a dashed underline. Whatever is selected as a copy source when the shift key is released will be copied to the current caret position. This even works when copying text from one text card to another. To abort a copy, release the shift key before releasing the mouse button.

Ctrl-shift-selection — Holding the ctrl and shift keys down while selecting text is a "move" selection. A move is marked by white-on-black. Whatever is selected as a "move" source when the ctrl and shift keys are released will be moved to the current caret position. This even works when moving text from one text card to another. To abort a move, release the ctrl and shift keys before releasing the mouse button.

7.3.Text Editing Operations

Inserting text — Except for command characters, whatever is typed on the keyboard is inserted at the current caret position. The BS key and ctrl-A both act as a backspace, deleting the character just before the caret. Ctrl-W is the backspace-word command.

Deleting text — Hitting the delete key causes the currently-selected text to be deleted. The ctrl-selection method described above may also be used.

Copying text — Use shift-selection, as described above. This operation works when copying text from one text card to another.

Moving text — Use ctrl-shift-selection, as described above. This operation works when moving text from one text card to another.

Undoing an edit operation — The lower key of the middle column of the right-hand key pad is the Undo key. It will undo the most recent edit command. Undo is itself undo-able, so you can never back up more than a single command.

Redoing an edit operation — The esc key is the Redo key. It will redo the most recent edit command on the current selection. For example, if you insert some text, then select elsewhere, hitting ESC will insert a copy of the text in the new place also. If the last command was a delete, Redo will delete the currently-selected text; if it was a font change, the same change will be applied to the current selection.

7.4.Text Editor Menu — the text editor menu is displayed in an attached window that pops up when the Advanced Editing Menu is selected from either the Text NoteCard or FileBox menu (see Section 2.2. NoteCard Menu or 3.1. FileBox Menu). Scroll the window to see all possible commands, and select the desired command with the left mouse button (see Section 2.3. Scrolling). This text editor menu is cumbersome; therefore, the user may want to use it only when special formatting is required.

Quit — same as Close and Save without access to the sub-menu (see Sections 2.2. NoteCard Menu: Close and Save and 6.2. Mouse Functions).

Close Menu — closes the Text Editor Menu, without closing the card or box.

All — selects all text within the card or box.

Get — not intended to be used with NoteCards.

Put — not intended to be used with NoteCards.

Include — not intended to be used with NoteCards.

Find — Asks for a search string, then hunts from the caret toward the end of document for a match. Selects the first match found; if there is none, nothing happens.

Substitute — Asks for a search string and a replacement string. Within the current selection, all instances of the search string are replaced by the replacement string. If you wish, the text editor will ask you to confirm each replacement before actually doing it.

Hardcopy — Prints the document to your default press or InterPress printer, with 1 inch margins all around.

Character Looks — Changes the character looks of the selected characters — the font, character size, and face (bold, italic, etc.).

Paragraph Looks — Changes the looks of the selected paragraph. Includes a ruler to indicate paragraph margins.

7.5.Display/Editor Bugs and Fixes — Occasionally edits will not be displayed properly. If this occurs, try scrolling the card or box up or down (see Section 2.3. Scrolling). If this doesn’t work, Close and Save the card (see Section 2.2 NoteCard Menu: Close and Save), and retrieve it to restart the text editor.

8.Sketch/Map Editor

The Sektch/Map editor is a standard feature of LISP. Sketch/Map is a graphics card in which the user is able to type text and put down groups of points to achieve desired shapes. Each group of points is called a graphic object. Sketch/Map has three menus all retrieved by placing the cursor in the title bar of the card and depressing the appropriate mouse button. Left retrieves the NoteCard menu, middle the Sketch/Map menu (select with both buttons if using a two-button mouse), and right the window menu. (See Sections 2.2. NoteCard Menu and 6.1. Window Menu.)

8.1.Sketch/Map Editing Menu — The Sketch/Map menu is designed to aid the user in creating sketches. Retrieve the menu by depressing the middle mouse button (depress both buttons if using a two-button mouse) in the title bar of the card and select the command before releasing the button. If more than one command is going to be executed, it is convenient to keep the menu visible. This is achieved by selecting Fix Menu from the Sketch/Map Menu (see Fix Menu below). Select commands with the left or middle mouse button. If using a two-button mouse, depress both buttons when doing a middle mouse selection. Make all selections of graphic objects within the sketch card with the left button. The menu has the following commands:

Delete — deletes a selected box, circle, line drawing, or pointer icon. Note that delete cancels the entire graphic object. All graphic objects are identified when Delete is chosen, and the user must select the object to be deleted. To cancel this selection before deleting, place the cursor outside the sketch card and click a mouse button.

Move — moves a selected string of text, a circle or an ellipse to a designated area, or lengthens a selected box or line. Text is moved by designating where the center of the string is to be. All graphic objects are identified when Move is chosen, and the user must select the object to be moved. To cancel this selection before moving, place the cursor outside the sketch card and click a mouse button.

Change — enables the user to change the looks of text, a line or a curve. All graphic objects are identified when Change is chosen, and the user must select the object to be changed. The Change commands vary for different types of objects.

Text — change enables the user to change the font size and the text string position from the following sub-menu:

Smaller Font

Larger Font

Center Justify

Right Justify

Left Justify

Curves, Circles and Ellipses — change enables the user to change the brush size and shape with the following sub-menu:

Shape — choose from the following sub-menu:

Round

Square

Vertical

Horizontal

Diagonal

Size — displays a pad of numbers from which the user chooses the brush size and clicks OK to exit. If brush size is not to change, select OK to cancel the command.

Boxes and Lines — change enables the user to change the brush size by displaying a pad of numbers from which the user chooses the brush size and clicks OK to exit. If brush size is not to change, select OK to cancel the command.

Map — displays a map of the world. When selected, a map of the world appears on the screen. The user outlines the section of the map which is to appear in the sketch card by placing the cursor at the top of the region, depressing the left mouse button, sweeping the cursor across the area and releaseing the button. The map of the world closes, and the user is required to now specify the area in the card where the portion of the map is to be displayed. Place the cursor in the card, depress the left mouse button and sweep the cursor down to indicate the desired area. The area may be smaller or larger than the original map selection. Note that this command uses considerable computer time before displaying the selected map region in the sketch card.

— to sketch a box. Depressing the left or middle mouse button, designate a corner of the box, sweep the cursor diagonally to shape the box, and let up on the button. To cancel this command, click the button with the cursor outside the card before beginning the procedure.

Text — pops up a window prompting the user to type in a text string followed by a carriage return. Place the cursor in the sketch card. After pressing return, the text string will appear next to the cursor. The string can be located by moving the cursor with the mouse and depressing any mouse button to plant the string at the desired location. This command cannot be canceled. If selection was not intended, follow through with the command and then use Delete or Undo to erase the string. (See 8.2. Mouse Functions for an alternative way of entering text.)

— to sketch closed lines. A line is defined by a number of special points called knots. These knots are placed in the card by depressing any mouse button while moving the cursor in a desired pattern. To draw a line through these knots, move the cursor outside the card and click any mouse button. To cancel this command, click the button with the cursor outside the card before beginning the procedure.

— to sketch open lines. See closed lines procedure.

— to sketch closed curves. See closed lines procedure.

— to sketch open curves. See closed lines procedure.

— to sketch an ellipse. Indicate the center of the ellipse by depressing the left mouse button in the card. Indicate the semi-major axis by depressing the left mouse button in the card. Indicate the semi-minor axis by depressing the left mouse button in the card. This command cannot be canceled. If the selection was not intended, follow through with the command and then use Delete or Undo to erase the ellipse.

— to sketch a circle. Indicate the center of the circle by depressing the left mouse button in the card. Indicate the point of the circumference of the circle by depressing the left mouse button in the card. This command cannot be canceled. If the selection was not intended, follow through with the command and then use Delete or Undo to erase the circle.

Undo — to undo a previous command. Select the event from the undo window. The most recent event is placed at the top of the list. To cancel this command, click the button with the cursor outside the card before selecting an event ("Wire" refers to lines.)

Brush — enables the user to change the brush size. A pad of numbers is displayed from which the user chooses the brush size and clicks OK to exit. If the brush size is not to change, select OK to cancel the command. The most recent change becomes the default for all Sketch/Map NoteCards created in the current NoteFile. This command is followed by a gray triangle pointing to the right indicating a sub-menu. To retrieve this sub-menu, slide the cursor to the right through the triangle, and select the desired sub-command before releasing the button. The sub-menu allows the user to change the brush shape or size.

Shape — enables the user to change the brush shape. The most recent change becomes the default for all Sketch/Map NoteCards created in the current NoteFile. Choose from the following sub-menu:

Round

Square

Vertical

Horizontal

Diagonal

Size — same as Brush above.

Zoom — changes the scale of the display. The user designates a portion of the sketch that will appear in the card by depressing any mouse button at a corner and sweeping the cursor over the portion to be displayed. The section may be smaller or larger than the current card size. This command cannot be canceled. Use Home to return the sketch to its original form.

AutoZoom — changes the scale around a selected point. Holding the left button down will zoom the selected point to the nearest edge. Pressing the middle button will zoom the nearest edge point to the cursor. Holding either button down will zoom continuously in the appropriate direction. Use Home to return the sketch to its original form.

Home — returns the user to the original sketch after using Zoom or AutoZoom.

Fix Menu — fixes menu to the right edge of the sketch card.

8.2.Mouse Functions — entering text and drawing lines may also be accomplished with the mouse.

Entering Text — click the left mouse button inside the sketch card to indicate where the center of the text string is to appear. A flashing caret will indicate where to begin typing. Use Move to reposition the text string.

Drawing Lines — using the middle mouse button (both buttons if using a two-button mouse) enables the user to sketch lines one at a time. With the cursor in the sketch card, depress the button to indicate the origin. Lines may be drawn in two ways:

a.Keeping the mouse button down, pull the cursor away from the point of origin. A line will follow the cursor. Terminate the line by letting up on the button. Additional lines may be drawn using the same method, each line beginning where the last finished. Terminate the sequence by clicking outside the card.

b.After indicating the origin, move the cursor to the end point and depress the button. To continue adding lines, continue to depress and release the button. Each additional line will begin where the last finished. Terminate the sequence by clicking outside the card.

8.3.Editing Text — characters within a text string may only be deleted or replaced through the following procedures:

Delete — select the character to be deleted and use the bs (backspace) key.

Replace — select the first character to be replaced with the left mouse button and extend the selection with the middle button (both buttons if using a two-button mouse). The selected string is shown as white on black. Begin typing the new text. The old text is deleted as the new text is typed.

Characters or words within a string may not be moved or copied. A text string may be moved similarly to other graphic objects by using the Move command (see Section 8.1 Sketch/Map Editing Menu.)

9.Graph Editing Menu

The Graph Editing Menu is a standard feature of LISP. The Graph Editing Menu is designed to allow the user to construct a layout of user-defined words or phrases, called nodes, which may be linked together with lines to indicate some structure. Each node may be easily moved about the card without losing its links. The Graph NoteCard has three menus. The NoteCard menu and the Window Menu are retrieved from the title bar of the graph card (see Sections 2.2. NoteCard Menu and 6.1. Window Menu). The Graph Editing Menu is retrieved by placing the cursor in the body of the window and depressing the right mouse button. First select the desired command and then select the object(s) within the card. The commands are:

Move Node — select the node to be moved with the left mouse button, move the node to its new position, and release the button.

Add Node — pops up a window requesting a Node Label. Type in a label name and follow it with a carriage return. The label will appear next to the cursor within the graph card. With the mouse move the label to its desired location and plant it by clicking any mouse button.

Delete Node — select the node to be deleted with the left mouse button. The black prompt window will expect a "Y" for yes or an "N" for no followed by a carriage return to confirm deletion.

Add Link — select the "From" node and the "To" node with the left mouse button. If a link is made between the same two nodes in the opposite direction, the lines representing the links will not be visible.

Delete Link — select the "From" node and the "To" node with the left mouse button.

Label Smaller — decreases the font size of the selected node. This may be repeated several times to achieve the desired size. This operation does not work on pointer icon labels.

Label Larger — increase the font size of the selected node. This may be repeated several times to achieve the desired size. This operation does not work on pointer icon labels.

<-> Directed — moves the links from top to bottom.

<-> Sides — moves the links from left and right sides to top and bottom sides.

Stop — same as Close and Save without access to the sub-menu (see sections 2.2. NoteCard Menu: Close and Save).

10.Recovering From System Bugs

A system bug is not a result of incorrect input by the user, but is a problem in the system which appears occasionally due to a bug in a particular function being initiated by the user. Because it is helpful to the designer of this system to know of any errors that occur, we request that a log be kept of problems encountered. Common problems and their recoveries are:

10.1. Break Window — occasionally a break window occurs due to a bug in NoteCards. Write down what occurred before the window popped up and what is in the break window. To close this window, place the cursor in the body of the window, depress the middle mouse button (depress both buttons if using a two-button mouse) and select "↑." Nothing else needs to be done, but this operation must be performed before proceeding.

10.2. Display/Editor Bugs and Fixes — occasionally text and graphics edits will not be displayed properly. If this occurs, scrolling the card up or down usually corrects the display (see Section 2.3. Scrolling). If this doesn’t work, Close and Save the card (see Section 2.2. NoteCard Menu: Close and Save) and then retrieve it to restart the text editor.

10.3. Repair NoteFile — may be executed when problems occur frequently. (See Section 5. Main Menu: Repair NoteFile.)