TECH/TYPE - Typefaces for Technology<br />
<br />
                             Video Terminal Screen<br />
                             Version 3.1 - 1/20/93<br />
                        Copyright (c) 1991-1993 E A BEHL<br />
                     PostScript Type 1 and TrueType Typeface<br />
 <br />
  A Pixel-based, Fixed-pitch, PC-8 character set, Computer Screen Typeface.<br />
 <br />
<br />
Introduction<br />
------------<br />
Video Terminal Screen (VTS) resembles screen characters of a data terminal or<br />
text on an EGA/VGA monitor of a personal computer. Video Terminal Screen is<br />
designed for use as a text font for technical documents such as software<br />
programming manuals. The character set is fixed-pitch, so that text captured<br />
from an actual data session can be imported directly into a document with<br />
minimal touch up.<br />
<br />
The Video Terminal Screen typeface family consists of three font files which<br />
make available all 253 characters of the PC-8 character set used by IBM-PC<br />
and compatible personal computers. (There are no characters associated with<br />
ASCII 00, 32, or 255). The base (or roman) font file contains all 253<br />
characters, although standard encoding of PostScript Type 1 and TrueType<br />
font files do not allow convenient access to all characters.<br />
<br />
To make access to the full character set more convenient, two other files are<br />
available, a Low Characters file (with the italic font file attribute) and a<br />
Box Characters file (with the boldface font file attribute). The Low <br />
Characters file contains the lower 31 characters remapped upward by 64<br />
character positions and the Greek and math characters remapped down by 128<br />
character positions. The Box Characters file contains the box characters<br />
remapped down 128 character positions.<br />
<br />
Typical of fixed-pitch fonts, Video Terminal Screen has a low aspect ratio,<br />
producing a somewhat short and "squatty" appearance. The character set is<br />
based on the "standard" 8x16 pixel character set of EGA/VGA card character<br />
generators. For the sake of simplicity and memory consumption, each character<br />
is an outline of the EGA/VGA pixel pattern. Each pixel is a simple square.<br />
Character spacing is provided primarily by virtue of the characters using<br />
only the first seven columns of pixels, ensuring that adjacent text<br />
characters are separated by at least one pixel width. In this way, when box<br />
and graphic characters (which use all eight pixel columns) appear adjacent<br />
to each other, they meet to form continuous lines.<br />
<br />
<br />
Using the VTS Family<br />
--------------------<br />
The Video Terminal Screen typeface family is designed to conveniently provide<br />
full access to the entire IBM-PC character set. Using only the base font file<br />
in Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later, almost all characters in the set from ASCII<br />
33 through ASCII 254 are available, using Alt key combinations for characters<br />
above ASCII 127. Due to limitations in the Windows implementation of the ANSI<br />
standard character set, a few characters are not available. This is not a<br />
fault of the font, but a quirk in the way Windows uses some of the ANSI<br />
characters. This limitation should not pose a problem for most applications.<br />
However, if the more obscure characters are needed out of the set, either or<br />
both of the additional font files may be necessary.<br />
<br />
The 31 symbol characters from ASCII 01 to 31 in the IBM-PC correspond to the<br />
ASCII characters Control-A through Control-_. The Low Characters file<br />
contains these characters, shifted up 64 positions. For instance, the open<br />
smily face character, which corresponds to Control-A in the IBM-PC, may be<br />
printed by typing an upper case A in Video Terminal Screen, then switching<br />
the character to italic. The Low Characters file also contains the Greek/math<br />
symbols from ASCII 224 through 254, shifted down 128 positions, so that<br />
typing a grave accent (the key with the tilde) in italic produces the Greek<br />
alpha symbol.<br />
<br />
For convenience, the 48 box and geometric characters from ASCII 176 through<br />
223, which appear in their normal positions in the base font file, also are<br />
contained in the Box Characters file shifted down by 128 positions. This<br />
allows typing the characters from 0 (zero) to the underscore character, then<br />
switching to boldface, to produce the box characters without using Alt key<br />
combinations. This may be useful when Alt key combinations are not allowed,<br />
or in non-Windows applications.<br />
<br />
For tips on capturing DOS screens using the Windows Clipboard and importing<br />
them into Windows applications, see the accompanying File VTSNOTES.TXT.<br />
<br />
<br />
Other TECH/TYPE Typefaces Available from E A BEHL<br />
-------------------------------------------------<br />
Since its re-release in November 1992, VTS has become extremely popular in<br />
the technical documentation industry for documenting DOS screens. We are<br />
proud to announce the recent release of a white-on-black companion typeface<br />
to VTS -- Reverse Video. Reverse Video has all 253 PC-8 characters and comes<br />
in 3 files just as VTS does. With Reverse Video, you can now highlight text<br />
in the DOS screen capture and print it as reverse video characters.<br />
<br />
There has been some interest in a "bold" version of VTS -- but VTS is fairly<br />
dark as it is. As an alternative, we have been developing Video Lite -- a<br />
"light" variation of VTS, which will allow the distinction between normal and<br />
high intensity characters in print.<br />
<br />
Alphanumeric is another pixel-based fixed-pitch typeface that resembles the<br />
5 by 8 pixel characters of liquid crystal displays (LCD's) and dot matrix<br />
printers. Alphanumeric contains all 96 standard ASCII characters, many<br />
international characters arranged in their PC-8 positions, Greek and math<br />
symbols, and several graphic characters.<br />
<br />
Dialtone is a key caps typeface for pushbutton telephones. A great typeface<br />
for printing telephone dialing instructions with a graphic touch, Dialtone<br />
contains the full 12 button dial keys, with number keys in both Metropolitan<br />
(letters and numbers) and International (numbers only) styles, the star and<br />
pound keys, and the A, B, C, and D keys for military and special purpose<br />
dials.<br />
<br />
Seven Segment (still under development) is a typeface containing numerals<br />
and symbols made up of seven bars (or segments) arranged in a figure 8<br />
pattern, common in digital alarm clocks and appliances. Numerals with a right<br />
decimal point are in the shift-number positions. Seven Segment also includes<br />
a limited set of alpha characters including the A, b, c, C, d, E, F, G, h, H,<br />
J, L, n, o, P, r, u, U, y, and the Greek Mu (micro) symbol. Punctuation<br />
includes the hyphen (dash), underscore, and equal sign.<br />
<br />
Also in the planning stages are:<br />
<br />
  * A higher resolution equivalent to the VTS family,<br />
    offering DOS screen captures with greater readability.<br />
<br />
  * A sixteen-segment alpha and numeral typeface, along the<br />
    same line as Seven Segment but with more alpha characters.<br />
<br />
For information, sample sheets, pricing/availability, contact us at the<br />
numbers below. To place an order, print the accompanying file ORDERFRM.TXT,<br />
fill in the requested information, and mail it to our address below.<br />
<br />
<br />
License to Use<br />
--------------<br />
Video Terminal Screen, in all its variations, and any derivative works, are<br />
copyrighted software. The base font (Video Terminal Screen - Regular) is<br />
Shareware software, it is not released to the Public Domain. This software<br />
consists of the following files.<br />
<br />
PostScript Type 1 version:<br />
   VTS     .TXT   Text information and instructions file<br />
   VTSNOTES.TXT   Application Tips for using VTS in Windows<br />
   ORDERFRM.TXT   Convenient Order Form for VTS and other fonts<br />
   VTSR____.AFM   253 character set Adobe ASCII Font Metric file<br />
   VTSR____.INF   253 character set Font Information file<br />
   VTSR____.PFB   253 character set Font Outline file<br />
   VTSR____.PFM   253 character set Windows Binary Font Metric file<br />
<br />
TrueType (MS-DOS) version:<br />
   VTS     .TXT   Text information and instructions file<br />
   VTSNOTES.TXT   Application Tips for using VTS in Windows<br />
   ORDERFRM.TXT   Convenient Order Form for VTS and other fonts<br />
   VTS_____.TTF   253 character set TrueType Font file<br />
<br />
This software may be copied and distributed, provided that:<br />
<br />
  * All files listed above are distributed together.<br />
<br />
  * This file (VTS.TXT) must remain unmodified.<br />
<br />
  * Credit is given to E A BEHL for any derivative works.<br />
<br />
  * Commercial Share-Ware distributors must obtain written permission from<br />
     E A BEHL, and pay a $20.00 duplication fee; if any charge whatsoever,<br />
     including duplication, media, etc., is imposed for its distribution.<br />
<br />
Individuals are granted temporary license to use the font software for non-<br />
commercial, evaluation purposes only. This license allows the trial use of the<br />
font in non-commercial (not-for-profit) applications, for no more than thirty<br />
(30) days. To use this font in any form for commercial profit, THE FONT MUST<br />
BE LICENSED by the user.<br />
<br />
If you find this font of value, you may obtain a license for its continual<br />
use, for a nominal, one-time fee of $10.00 U.S. Each license grants permission<br />
to install Video Terminal Screen on up to two low resolution printers (600dpi<br />
or lower) and/or one high resolution printer (above 600dpi.) Registered<br />
licensees also receive the Low Characters and Box Characters extended<br />
character files, and character mapping tables for each font file. To obtain<br />
the extended character files, installation and application instructions,<br />
character mapping tables, and a license certificate; send $10.00 check or<br />
money order (U.S. funds only, please) to:<br />
<br />
   E A BEHL<br />
   2663 Red Oak Court<br />
   Clearwater, Florida U.S.A.  34621-2319<br />
   Tel: (813) 789-3550   Fax: (813) 787-9414<br />
   CIS: 70413,1073<br />
<br />
<br />
Warranty<br />
--------<br />
This software is licensed as is, with no warranty of any kind, including but<br />
not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a<br />
particular purpose. The user assumes all risk arising from the use of this<br />
software. In no event shall E A BEHL, its employees, principals, or agents be<br />
liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential losses caused by<br />
the use of this software.<br />
<br />
<br />
Copyrights and Trademarks<br />
-------------------------<br />
Video Terminal Screen<br />
Copyright (c) 1991-1992, E A BEHL - Clearwater FL USA. All rights reserved.<br />
<br />
TECH/TYPE is a trademark of E A BEHL.<br />
<br />
Any trade names referenced herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks<br />
of their respective owners, and are included only for reference purposes.<br />
<br />
End