Chapter 4
The Text Tool
Overview
This chapter introduces the Text Tool and its features. The Text Tool enables users to distribute textual information to other conference members quickly and easily. Using the Text tool, conference members can send the contents of a file, information pasted from the clipboard, or hand-entered information to the conference.
In this section you will learn about:
- The Text Tool Window
- Sending and receiving text
- Text Tool controls
The Text Tool Window
The Text Tool Window is divided into four section: the Menu Bar, the Toolbar, the Text Window, and the Status Bar.
The Menu Bar
The Menu Bar allows users to access the Text tool’s features. From the menus, you can send text, import a file, and configure the text tool. You can also access the Clipboard from the Menu Bar.
The Toolbar
The Toolbar contains several buttons that provide users with shortcuts to certain menu functions. In order to find out the function of an individual Toolbar option, position the mouse pointer over that button for a few seconds, and a Tool Tip will appear that states the button’s function.
The Text Window
The Text Window contains the actual text that can be sent to other conference members. You can enter text directly into the window, or you can import text from the clipboard or a file.
The Status Bar
The Status Bar provides users with an explanation of Text Tool events. The Status Bar explains the function of Text Tool controls when they are used, and also displays any diagnostic messages from the Text Tool.
Sending Text
With the Text Tool you can quickly compose a message and send it to the other conference members. In order to create and send a message, you should do the following:
1. In the Conference Manager window, click on the Text Tool button (the one with the picture of a sheet of paper) to bring up the Text Tool window.
The Text Tool will appear with a blinking cursor in the upper left corner of the text area. This cursor marks the insertion point where the text you type will appear.
2. Type your message into the Text Window.
While editing your message you can use any of the standard Windows Clipboard commands. For more information on using the Windows Clipboard refer to your Microsoft Windows documentation.
3. Select Send from the File menu or click on the Send button in the Toolbar to distribute your message to conference members.
Sending a Text File
With the Text Tool you can send the contents of a text file (with or without your own comments) to the other members of the conference.
1. In the Conference Manager window, click on the "Text Tool" button (the one with the picture of a sheet of paper) to bring up the Text Tool window.
The Text Tool appears with a blinking cursor in the upper left corner of the text area. This cursor marks the insertion point where the text you load will appear.
2. Select "Include..." from the File menu.
A Windows File Browser will appear. Select the text file you wish to include and click on "OK".
The contents of the text file you have included will appear in the text window. If you wish, you can edit the text or make comments.
3. Select "Send" form the File menu or click on the Send button in the Toolbar to distribute your message to conference members.
Receiving Text
Any time a fellow conference member sends you a text message or text file with the Text Tool, a Text Tool Viewer window will appear showing the text. Its title bar will indicate which user sent the message.
The Text Tool Viewer closely resembles the Text Tool itself, except that text in the viewer cannot be edited. You still have the ability to print and save the text as described below.
Text Tool Controls
The Text Tool provides a simple set of editing functions and optional controls.
Using the Windows Clipboard in Text Tool
The Cut, Copy, and Paste functions provided by Microsoft Windows are fully implemented in the Text Tool. In the Text Tool window you can use the Cut, Copy, and Paste functions. However, Cut and Paste are disabled for the Received Text Window.
Cut, Copy, and Paste operations will affect only selected text. Double clicking on an area of text with the mouse will select the current word. Alternately, you can drag select an area of text.
While using the Text Tool you can copy text from the Text Window or the Received Text Window into the Windows Clipboard or you can paste information from the Windows Clipboard into your Text Window.
The Windows Clipboard can be used to share information between different Communique! tools. You can also use the Windows Clipboard to share data with other Windows applications.
Choosing Text Recipients
Unless otherwise specified, Communique! sends your text to all conference members. You can use the Text Recipients list to select who you wish to send text to.
1. Select the Recipients option under the Options menu. You can also access the Text Recipients list by clicking on the Recipients button on the toolbar (the one with the picture of people on it).
The Text Recipients dialog box will appear. Everyone involved in the conference (other than yourself) will be listed with a corresponding check box. If a member’s check box is selected (marked with and "X") they will receive text from you any time you send it from the Text Tool.
2. Select the conference members from whom you wish to receive text. Click on Close when you are satisfied with your selections.
The Text Recipients information is not saved from conference to conference. If you do not want to send text to all conference members you will need to update your Text Recipients list each conference.
Saving the Text Window
Any text that you have created in the Text Tool or received in the Text Tool Viewer window can be saved to disk for later use. To save the contents of a Text Window to disk:
1. Select Save from the File menu or click on the Save button on the Toolbar.
The Save Text File dialog box will appear.
2. Enter the path and filename to which you wish to save the text.
3. Click OK.
The text will be saved as an ordinary text file. If you will be using this file with other software, be aware that many programs will require ordinary text file names to end with .TXT.
Printing the Text Window
Any text that you have created in the Text Tool or received in the Text Tool Viewer window can be printed as well. To print the contents of a Text Window:
1. Verify your printer settings by selecting Print Setup... from the File Menu.
2. Select Print form the File menu or click on the Print button on the toolbar.
A standard Windows Print dialog will appear.
3. Click on OK to print your text.
Your text will be printed through standard Windows print services. For more information about printing and the Print dialog, please refer to your Microsoft Windows documentation.