From Bottle Cap Software
Written by: Mike Felerski
1580 Gelhot Drive
Fairfield, OH
45014-8309
(513) 829-7138
[$5.00 PP]
Introduction
This program allows the user to create mailing labels which contain the United States Postal Service’s Postnet® barcode below the address. Further information on how the barcodes are decoded can be found in issue 1.1 of the Sinclair World Gazette which is published in Update Magazine (P.O. Box 1095, Peru, IN 46970)
Important Points
The following are important points to know about the PNET program:
- 1. The program name is PNET.Ba and has a piece of machine code called COP8L.Cd which is loaded and is used to copy only 8 lines from the screen to an Epson compatible (FX) printer through an Aerco printer interface. Your own code can be loaded instead.
- 2. Only ZIP+4 Codes can be converted. No subsets or supersets of the Postnet can be converted (i.e. 5 number Zip codes or carrier route codes, etc.)
- 3. Labels must be set to print on almost the very first column of the printer since the entire width of a standard 1″ x 3.5″ label is used. The address ares is 4 lines by 30 characters with the Zip+4 code taking up the 5th line and the Postnet barcode the 6th and 7th lines. The 8th line is used for the spacing between labels.
- 4. The author of the PNET program assumes no responsibility for accuracy of the program or its output for any reason.
- 5. Now that the legal bits are out of the way, enjoy the program and drop me a line if you like and/or use the program or have any useful suggestions –MJF
Loading and Running PNET
From the cassette version, LOAD “PNET” or LOAD “”. When the program has loaded, the main (and only) screen will appear. From here you can (E)dit the text, enter the (Z)ip+4 code, (P)rint the label, load a (F)ont, (C)lear the label, (S)ave or (L)oad a label via diskette or cassette* or obtain a (D)isk catalogue.
Edit provides 4 line editing with Delete, Enter (Newline) and wrap-around cursor movement.
Zip+4 allows numeric entry only. Sorry no Canadian version as of yet!
Print allows multiple labels to be printed as well as an escape option.
Font load works with standard Spectrum/TS2068 8×8 pixel fonts.
The rest of the options are self explanatory.
Finally
Since printers vary, keep in mind that the USPS rule is that there can ONLY be 22 ±2 bars per inch! If your printer cannot produce codes within this limit, please do not use that printer to create labels… …Note: Using “STOP” key at the main menu will exit to BASIC.
* PNET is provided with a Cassette version on one side of the tape and a LarKen disk version (the author’s system) on the other side.