^C^1COLOR TESTER
^Cby
^CGeorge Leritte


  COLOR TESTER can be used in two different ways.  Because the program displays 
a palette of the 16 colors used by the IBM, COLOR TESTER is handy to have when 
you are making monitor adjustments.  The program's real power, however, lies 
in its ability to display up to 120 different text and background color 
combinations. 

  If you use software that allows various color combinations (like the popular 
Sidekick or PC-Calc programs, for example) you can use COLOR TESTER to 
experiment with various foreground and background colors.  Programmers will 
find COLOR TESTER to be especially valuable for finding color combinations 
that make their creations sharper and more professional looking. 


The Work Screen
---------------

  The COLOR TESTER work screen is divided into three main parts.  The program 
displays the 16 colors in two eight-color columns in the top portion of the 
screen.  The program allows you to work in either 40- or 80-column mode.  Your 
preference may be changed at any time by pressing F10 to exit and selecting 
a new width.  All screen data will be preserved. 

  Between the two columns is a color bar which displays the currently selected 
foreground and background colors.  In the center of the screen is the color 
combination's "attribute" in hexadecimal notation.  Each character shown has a 
corresponding attribute byte in screen memory.  Attribute bytes assign 
display characteristics like foreground color and background color to each 
character.  Attribute bytes also determine whether or not a character is to 
"blink."  Programmers, rather than everyday users, will get the most use from
knowing a color combination's attribute. 

  At the bottom of the screen is a typing area where you can experiment with 
various combinations of text color and background color.  Any number of 
different combinations may be displayed at the same time.  Actually, when you 
type in this area, you are using a mini-word processor.  Word processor 
controls and other commands are discussed below. 


Using the Program
-----------------

  How do you change color combinations?  By using the F3 and F4 keys, you may 
move two cursor-like pointers around the 16 displayed colors.  Where these 
pointers rest determines the foreground and background colors.  Here's an 
example: If the pointer controlled by the F3 key (marked with an "F") rests on 
a red color bar, and the pointer controlled by the F4 key (marked by a "B") 
rests on a blue color bar, the current color combination is red foreground and 
blue background.  Text typed at the bottom of the screen produces red letters 
on a blue field.  Pressing F5 blinks the forground.

  Command Summary:

F1 -- Clear typing area.

F2 -- Reset typing area to the current foreground-background 
      color combination.  Remember that different color combinations
      can be displayed at the same time.  Press F2, then change the
      color combination, and resume typing.

F3 -- move foreground pointer forward through the 16 colors to 
      determinine foreground color.

Alt-F3 -- move foreground pointer backward through the 16 colors.

F4 -- move background pointer forward through the 16 colors to
      determine background color.

Alt-F4 -- move background pointer backward through the 16 colors.

F5 -- toggle blink function on and off.

F10 -- exit.

  Word processor command summary:

Left Arrow -- move cursor one character left.

Right Arrow -- move cursor one character right.

Up Arrow -- move cursor one line up.

Down Arrow -- move cursor one line down.

HOME -- move cursor to upper left corner.

END -- move cursor to lower left corner.

Pg Up -- move cursor to upper right corner.

Pg Dn -- move cursor to lower right corner.

Ctrl-Left Arrow -- move cursor one word left.

Ctrl-Right Arrow -- move cursor one word right.

Backspace -- delete the character to the left of the cursor.

Del -- delete the character at the cursor.

Ins -- insert a space in the text at the cursor.

  A final note: You can also type IBM graphics characters by holding down the 
Alt key while typing in the character's ASCII value on the numeric keypad. 


DISK FILES THIS PROGRAM USES:

^FCOLRTEST.EXE
^FBRUN20.EXE
^FRETURN.EXE
