<>@2{HELP WITH CREATING ARTICLES @3 }by Andy Gibson @4 This article will take you through the steps of writing your very own two- column articles just like this one. @3 You could type your file normally and then use the NEW AZ TESTER util on Supp Disk 5 to convert it to this type of file or just load this file into your text editor to see how it's done. @5 AZ supports two types of articles and these are normal (79) chars per line arts or these new (38) chars per line arts. @4 First of all I must stress that no matter which type of article you are gonna type, please DO NOT use TAB !!! @5 It causes too many hassles and AZ is not compatible with those files !!! @1 If you are gonna be typing the normal type of article and want to add the 6 spaces to the start of each line, then either do it by hand or use the new AZ Tester as found on Supp Disk @1#@15. @4 The AZ Tester can also be used to convert normal arts to these new two- column arts easily. If you don't have Supp Disk 5, order it from Steve now. @5 Right, let's take a look at how to create your articles now: @4Amoszine now allows Split-Screen text articles as well as normal text arts. @3 Furthermore, up to 15 colours can now be used for each article. Colours 8-15 being reserved for #3FLASHING TEXT !@4 @4 If you are thinking of contributing an article for future issues of AZ then here's what you will need to do: @6 First of all you must decide which type of article you want to create. @1 ie. Split Screen - Same as this file. Normal Type - See other files. @4 I will deal with the Split-Screen type of file first of all as we think it is now gonna be very popular with AZ ! @5The very first thing that you need to type is #5<#5> @5as this will allow the AZ code to set it's default text reader to use the new Split-Screen option. @3 If you want a heading at the top of the page, you must type #3{ @3followed by your heading. (This will be auto- centred for you). @4 You may also like to add a title for the name of the author (you) !!! To do this you simply type #4} @4before the text. (This will be auto-centred) @5 Always leave a blank line between your headings as it will be needed for our new font sizes. AZ may use a different font in future issues so let's keep it compatible dudes ! @4Now you need to type up all your text @1 Please note that no more than 38 chars should be typed per line !!! That does not include the colour codes, which we shall come to in a minute or two. @6 The best thing to do is load this file into your favourite text editor. You should be able to follow the format as it's pretty straight forward @4 (This file is no longer crunched so you shouldn't have any problems when loading it into your text editor. It can be found in the ARTS Dir and named @3AZ_WRITING.asc@4) @3 OK let's take a rundown of how you can create the coloured text for your own articles. 7 colours can be used and these are : @1White @2Red @3Yellow @4Green @5Cyan @6Blue @4and of course @7Purple @1 This could be mainly used to show up some important text - well ?!? @3 To add any of the above colours to your text, just put the @ character followed by a number from 1 to 7. eg. @1@@11 Would give White text. @5@@55 Would give Cyan text. @4 As mentioned before, only type a maximum of 38 chars per line. Then you can add in all your colour codes later (Only up to 79 chars on each line). @1 THIS LINE HAS USED UP THE 38 CHARS !!! @1THIS @2LINE @3HAS @4USED @5UP @6THE @738 @2CHARS @3!@4!@5! @4That should be easy enough to follow when this file is viewed via your text editor. If you are still confused, just type up a normal text file and send it to the AZ editor and he'll do all the hard work for you !!! @3 Oh yeah, I nearly forgot to mention that only 24 lines of text can be shown on each screen. If your text editor is any good, then it should tell you what line you are on anyway. @5 Use the new AZ ARTICLE TESTER to see how your articles look before posting them off to us. (It would also help us if you could spell check them) @1Now let's deal with normal articles: @4 Basically they are formatted in the exact same way as split-screen type except you musn't type #4<#4> @4at the start and each line must be no longer than 79 chars. (That also includes the colour codes !!!) @3 So be careful if you want your article to be neat and tidy ! @5 If you do manage to type more than the 79 character limit, not only will your article be a little bit messy, but it won't print out as a neat file either! @1 Again, only 24 lines per page will be shown, so try and remember that when you are typing away. @4Normal type articles can now use the new headings for both Title and Author as with split screen articles. That's a new bonus for AZ also. @4The heading for both the Title and the Author are both displayed atop each page, so it doesn't have to be just the first page of your article. Each page (24 lines) can now have a new title and author heading ! These will be auto-centred for you also. That's basically it I suppose. If you still find all that too much to take in, then please just type a normal article and send it to us. @3Brief Summary: @5 Normal Arts: @1Please do not type more than 79 chars including any colour codes. @5 Split Arts : @1Please do not type more than 38 chars - 79 inc. any colour codes. You must also type @3<@3>@1 as the very first thing ! @5 Title 1 : @1Type @3{ @1followed by your heading. This will be auto-centred for you. @5 Title 2 : @1Type @3} @1followed by your heading. This will be auto-centred for you. @5 No more than @124 @5lines per page (split- arts = 24 lines per column) @4************************************* * @5DO NOT USE THE @4* * * * #7##### ### ##### @4* * #7# # # # # @4* * #7# ##### ##### @4* * #7# # # # # @4* * #7# # # ##### @4* * * * @5KEY PLEASE !!! @4* ************************************* @3 Need I say more ? Go on ... there is no excuse for anyone not to type up at least one small article for AZ. @1 End. @6Update Notice ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ @5 From Issue 7 of Amoszine, articles will have new features such as Clip Art and 8 flashing colours. So far up to 7 Clip Art pics can be shown and you simply type @1[ @5followed by a number from 1 to 7. To show flashing text, just put @1# @5and a number from 1 to 8 after it (just like normal coloured text commands. #8 THIS ARTICLE IS NOT CRUNCHED, SO YOU CAN LOAD IT INTO A TEXT EDITOR @1:) @4 The DMC Article Tester has been included so you can convert your articles easily. (fully compatible with ClipArt & Flashing Text now) @1 Andy Gibson