Set Default Printer (SDP) version 1.31  Documentation
----------------------------------------------------

What is it?

  SDP is a command line utility for setting which printer/output-device 
  is to be used by default under Windows 95, 98 and NT.  It will not run 
  under Windows 3.1.

Why did I make it?

  I had to make print outs every morning automatically using task scheduling 
  software using NotePad & WordPad using the little know /p command line 
  option.  (aside:  NotepPad /p SDP.TXT automatically loads, prints, and 
  closes this doc.)  However, if someone sent a fax or something the previous
  day, the print outs would go to the fax instead of the printer.  I needed
  A utility that would make the printer the default output every morning.  
  I created SDP and I set my scheduling software to run it before the morning
  print outs and... guess what?  No more problems.

How do you use it?

  The basic usage is:  SDP.EXE <printer description>
  
  Just type in all or part of the printer's name and/or port and SDP will
  select the first device that it matches.  The printer description is 
  CASE SENSITIVE!  Epson is not the same as EPSON to SDP.  You should run 
  SDP without parameters to see the case used.  Also do no use quotes or 
  these < > on the command line, just what it asks for.  

  Example:  SDP.EXE Okidata

  Running SDP without parameters gives you the help screen that shows which 
  printers are installed (i.e. selectable) and their complete, case sensitive 
  description.  It displays the printer's name and port separated by a comma.
  You can enter this entire description as shown or any part of it.  If
  the printer description was:  HP LaserJet 4P,\\network\hp you could
  enter:  SDP.EXE 4P,\\net and SDP would find it.
  
  SDP can be run from a DOS window, a DOS batch file, the Run command on the
  Start Menu or you can create a shortcut with the <printer description> 
  after the program's name.  From a DOS batch file, it's a good idea to use 
  the START command with the /w wait option.

  Example:  START /W SDP.EXE Epson

  This will cause the DOS batch file to wait until SDP is done setting the
  default printer before continuing with the next command.

  If SDP finds the printer used in the <printer description> it does the 
  setting and displays a Success message for a default time of 5 seconds, 
  closing itself afterwards.  This default time can be changed by editing 
  the SDP.INI file, which needs to be in the same directory as the SDP
  program.  It can even be set to not display a window!  If the printer 
  could not be found, the printer was found and the setting failed, or 
  if there was no parameters, SDP does not automatically close itself.
  To create a SDP.INI file, you only need two lines:

  [delay]
  timeout=5
 
  The timeout setting is measured in seconds.  Setting the timeout=0 
  keeps the Success window from being displayed.
  
How does it work?  (for the curious)

  SDP was created using Microsoft Visual C++ 5.0 with standard Win32 API
  calls.  It uses EnumPrinter, OpenPrinter and SetPrinter functions to
  do most of the dirty work.  Source code is available upon request.

Licensing B.S.

  This is FREEWARE (my favorite kind of software) so if you paid for it, 
  you got taken.  It is designed to work under Windows 9x/NT.  I have 
  tested it under Windows 95 and 98, and I use it myself.  I have found it 
  to be completely safe, but like all software, use at your own risk.
  I make no guarantees, and none should be implied.  If you're the worrying
  sort, use the standard precaution:  backup first.

What about support?

  As with most freeware, support is very limited.  If you've got a bug to
  report, a comment, or if you'd like to request a copy of the source code,
  my email address is:  
  
  Edward Brophy
  ebrophy@aztec.asu.edu
    -or-
  faust@bnswest.net

  Visit --> http://www.bnswest.net/~faust/index.html
  for possible updates and additional freeware!


History:

    9/8/98  Version 1.0  

            Initial release.


   11/5/98  Version 1.1  

            Added features:  Due to requests, added a way of controlling
                             how long the window stays open.  See the
                             SDP.INI file for instructions.  This only
                             effects the "Success" window.
  
            Added extra command line checking so that SDP can be run 
            from shells, scripts and other applications.
 
            Tested SDP under Windows 98.


  11/18/98  Version 1.2

            Bug fix for page fault error via DOS shell execution.


    4/3/99  Version 1.3

            Major rewrite of the printer setting code.  SDP no longer
            uses WIN.INI so as to make it more NT compatible.  Also 
            dropped the ability to select printer based on the printer's
            driver name in order to simplify code.  Only the printer's
            name and port descriptions used now.


    4/5/99  Version 1.31

            Minor display bug fix.
