Message 22313 in TECH.WW
From: G8MNY
Date: Wed, 13 May 26 07:28:00 Z
Newsgroups: TECH.WW
Subject: Making ASCII diagrams
Message-ID: <59582_GB7CIP>
Path: N2MH4|WB4WPF|GB7BED|GB7YEW|GB7CIP
R:260514/1527Z 31174@N2MH4.#SENC.NC.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24
R:260513/0732Z 11960@WB4WPF.#SFL.FL.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.25
R:260513/0731Z 11196@GB7BED.#21.GBR.EU LinBPQ6.0.25
R:260513/0731Z 18294@GB7YEW.#79.GBR.EURO LinBPQ6.0.24
R:260513/0728Z @:GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO #:59582 [Caterham Surrey GBR]
From: G8MNY@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO
To : TECH@WW
By G8MNY (Updated Jan 09)
(8 Bit ASCII graphics use code page 437 or 850, Terminal Font)
Most of the TECH buls use the full 8 bit graphics character set. To make your
own diagrams here are some tips.
TEXT EDITORS
The 102 key keyboard only does about 33% of the 256 characters possable. To get
the full set (about 220 usable on packet) you normally hold down the ALT key &
enter the 3 digit ALT number into the number keypad, this works in most text
editors e.g. "MS EDIT". (MS OS, Other OS platforms are different!)
Also don't use justify or variable spacing in the editor / viewer! See my "Y
Extended ASCII Graphics" bul for more compatibility information. The 8 bit
extended character sets where originaly defined by Code Page Nos for all
software applications to use on that machine, & Code Pages 437 or 850 give the
most compatable extended graphics set across all platforms NOT just a specific
MS Windows application!
Try these for yourself.
ڿ
ALT 218 191 179 196 194 180 195 193 197 234 248 241
KEY 192 217 (not all Code/Pages)
In a good editor you will find a list of all the characters in the help screen.
(MS Char map in TERMINAL font) Print these out if you can. Some editors also
have block cut & past (not just paragraphs) & this is a very useful feature for
moving & copying parts of the screen.
ALT KEY 171 172 227 230 235 236 240 242 243 246 247 251
(Alt 253 "superscript 2" fails on Paket software [a Bug])
GRAPHICS & CHARACTERS
Here are some Characters & 8th bit Graphics mixed & how they look together.
ALT
124 | (Bar) Do not join up | (some Fonts have broken bar)
How viewable the results are of mixing them, will depend on your font & to some
the hyphen as they may look the same, but are not on many displays.
ELECTRONIC COMPONENT ART
TERMINALS
_
boxes
__ __ __ __
Often with ASCII ART there is not enough detail for precise component graphic
symbols, but to a good engineer these graphics are good enough. (clearer than a
bought Photocopied diagram/CD/internet download!)
As with any text composing this may take a while, so do SAVE it often as an
ASCII (.ASC or .TXT) file often (possibly as a .BAK file as well!).
Try to make the diagram size less than 79 characters wide by 23 lines high, as
this fits most viewers, with room for their control bars etc. & should stop
auto wrapping of your carefully spaced diagram when sent over packet.
The diagram size restriction may mean splitting the diagram up into functional
blocks, giving you the option to describe each part as you go. Not normally
possible with other drawing systems! Write the text out under the drawing & if
both text & drawing can be made small enough, cut & past side by side...
mains
DO NOT use TABS as they have different widths on different apps.
(e.g. tab = 8-10 spaces, OR goto next TAB bar if set up)
If you are describing a large circuit, then use component Numbers, not values &
make a component value table....
No R C L T IC
1 100R 10u 88mH BC109 LM741
2 18k 15p 10uH BFX20 NE555
3 2R 22n 1mH
4 220k 3n3
5 100k
6 1M
If it is for a BBS bulletin, I add standard headers & tails etc....
SB TECH @ WW
TITLE FOR BBS 32 ch max
By ..... (New 09)
(8 Bit ASCII Graphics use code page 437 or 850 e.g. Terminal Font)
ASCII File XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A Tag line
73 De ..................
/EX
If you need to put the file through an editor with a spellchecker do it now,
but note the graphics will all show as errors. Once you have finished all the
cut & pasting, tidy it up for packet by going down the right hand side & remove
all the unwanted spaces at the end of lines as these are not needed. I then
rename the file as a .BUL as the extension when it is ready to send.
OTHER TIPS
Get the units/abbreviations right. e.g. Volts are V not v, Metres = m
Frequency is in Hz, kHz, MHz, & GHz not hz, KHz or mHz mhz as m=milli, gHz etc.
Decibels are dB not db.
The result should be a VERY compact ASCII file, ideal for Packet & easy for
your SYSOP to check & vet it before releasing the bul. And it will be quick &
easy to read on many system/platforms & in any language....
Date/Time : 12-Oct 22:36 2004
Title : hello
From: LW5DIX@LW6EVE.#1661.BA.ARG.SA
To : G8MNY@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EU
name javier qra lw5dix
qth argentina
tex is spinif
amigo muy buena los informes de tecnica
me gustaria si tiene web ok
saludos
73 y dx
(it's just the text that's not international!)
See also "ASCII table for diagrams" & "Y Extended ASCII graphics"
Why don't U send an interesting bul?
73 de John G8MNY @ GB7CIP
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