INFO ON SEEBITS:  Questions? email  terry@terryking.us

SEEBITS:  DOS Fullscreen Control and Monitoring of Parallel Port Bits
-------   with large 'Bits' that can be seen across a classroom.

SEEBITS utilizes an IBM-compatible machines PRINTER PORT, often called
the PARALLEL PORT.  SEEBITS 'fixes' the funny way the bits and ports
were designed, specifically to control a printer.  All you need to do
is think of your machine as having (1) An 8-bit OUTPUT port, with the
8 bits connected to pins 2 thru 9 on the connector, and (2) An 8-bit
INPUT port, with the 8 bits connected to pins 10 thru 17 on the
connector (Pins 18 thru 25 are GROUND).  You've probably heard of how
weird the parallel port is!  It's true, but this software fixes it by
moving the funny input bits around and inverting those that need it.

SeeBits runs under DOS on any IBM-compatible computer. OLD XT or AT type
machines are good, and you can dedicate it to controlling projects,
equipment or your home.

SeeBits is the simplest, beginning software to use to start. ALL it does is
allow you to turn 8 OUTPUT bits ON and OFF, and sense the state (ON or OFF) of
8 INPUT Bits. Later, you may want to SEQUENCE things, and perform LOGIC  to be
or use a Sequencing program such as BITMACH.

OUTPUT PORT: SeeBits uses output bits of a printer port for OUTPUTS to control
External devices such as LED lights, beepers, relays or transistors.
Pins 2 thru 9 on the printer port are used. The BIT numbers and PIN numbers
appear on the SeeBits screen bits if you press "P".

INPUT PORT: SeeBits uses bits from two funny input ports on the printer port
and "fixes and unscrambles" them so that Pins 10 thru 17 on the printer port
appear as 8 available bits. NOTE: Bits 1 and 2 often "float" down (ON). You can
connect 10K resistors from the input pins to Pin 1 (which is set to a "high") to
help fix the "float down" problem. Your "switches" connect from input pins to Ground.

OUTPUT CONNECTIONS are from Pins 2  thru 9  to GROUND (Use any Pin 18 thru 25).

 INPUT CONNECTIONS are from pins 10 thru 17 to GROUND (Use any pin 18 thru 25).

PORT ADDRESSES: SeeBits uses LPT2 (address x0278) UNLESS you make it use
LPT1 (Address x0378) or LPTM (Address x03BC) when you start it, like this:
"SeeBits LPT1" or "SeeBits LPTM" will use the other ports. Check what your
computer has! We STRONGLY suggest you put in or use an older PRINTER PORT card.'

NOTE!! Now you can set WHICH Parallel Port SeeBits (And other PARPORT based
software like BitMach) uses by setting an environment variable like this:
SET PARPORT=LPT1    (OR LPT2 OR LPTM)
You can do this any time at the DOS prompt and/or put this line in the
AUTOEXEC.BAT of each machine so it works right for that machine...

Questions / Corrections ?? email terry@terryking.us