• Intro from the CEO:
  Preparing for a Public Release
   
• From the COO:
  How You Can 'Pre-Order'
   
• Support Notes:
  Template Tricks
   

• Customer Center
  Upgrading to X
   
• Multi-Edit Partners:
  Axonware

  Programmer's Paradise
  Special Pre-Order Offer
   

Introduction from the CEO

Hello and welcome to the March Developer News!

- Chad Williams

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After many long awaited years, I am proud to announce that we have created an entirely new build of Multi-Edit and are preparing for a public release in May!

In our initial release you can expect to see true Unicode support, unlimited file size handling, added XML support, unlimited line length and other improvements. But that is not all that you'll receive with the NEW Multi-Editx! We are committed to providing the very best that Multi-Edit can be for ANY text editing/programming need!

Following our full product release this May, you can expect to see quarterly updates to the product which will provide users with any necessary bug fixes, as well as both small and large features at no additional cost!

What can you expect to see in our initial upcoming patch releases? How about a Linux version as well as a Mac build later this year! All INCLUDED at no additional fee to registered owners of Multi-Editx, not even an annual support plan or extended support agreement, but FREE! That's right, Multi-Editx will not only provide you with the Windows version but as additional platform support is made available you'll receive those installers as well as an 'added value' to your purchase! We at MESI continue on the path we began nearly 30 years ago, providing users with a robust editor built by Programmers for Programmers!

Multi-Edit x: One Product - One Package - The Solution!

Wondering where to get your hands on this new and exciting build? Be sure to read Mr. Brown's article in this issue and find out how you can 'Pre-Order' your copy today!

With the coming of any new product release, there are bound to be questions regarding upgrade policy changes, eligibility requirements for upgrading, assistance with locating your serial number and more. Take a moment to read Michele Hegwood's article to answer these questions as well as the importance of registering your product.

As previously promised, we've included with this edition of The Developer News a solid 'development based' tech article. A long time user and partner of Multi Edit Software, Inc., Clay Martin of Martin Works, Inc. has written up a very nice instructional on Template Tricks. Be sure to view this month's support article and learn some new tricks using Multi-Edit's powerful Template Functionality!

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Until next time,

Chad Williams, CEO
Multi Edit Software, Inc.
chadw@multieditsoftware.com

From the COO:

Pre-Order Opportunity

- Brenton E. Brown

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NOW AVAILABLE for a limited time at a HUGE discount off our new list price when you Pre-Order through Programmers Paradise today! We are not only pleased to announce the coming our newest build, Multi-Editx, but also to provide to you with a chance to pre-order with HUGE savings. Be sure to take advantage of this LIMITED TIME opportunity and pre-order your copy today!

Click the Programmers Paradise link below for complete information:

http://www.programmers.com/content/promo/us/2010/special_blast_multiedit_031510.htm

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Thank you for your loyal patronage and support,

Brenton E. Brown, COO
Multi Edit Software, Inc.
brentonb@multieditsoftware.com

From the Support Desk

Template Tricks

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It is fairly easy to create plain old vanilla text templates, but what about ones that do a little activity of their own? There are a number of meta-tags for templates that can add a lot of functionality if you know how to use them. Here are some of the things you might want to do:

• Place the cursor within the text of the template.
• Highlight for overtyping, a phrase within the template.
• Prompt for some text to be added to the template results and offer a default.
• Place the current files' path within the text of the expanded template.
• Jump past the end of the template's text from within.

Let's walk through an example. Let's say we have a function called BOB, and we use it throughout our project. Thus, we want to create a template to make it easier to place in the code. First we go to Tools-Edit Templates, make sure we are using the correct template set for the language, and press the button to insert a template. We are prompted for the template name, BOB, of course, and we set up the following values for the template:

Keyword - bob; Min length -3; Space expand - checked, anywhere.

Ok, so now what do we want the result to look like?. We need the BOB of course. BOB has three parameters, p1, title, and lastparm. We want to use the parm= format for the parameters. Oh yea, we want the second and third parameters on their own lines. Therefore here is what we would enter in the results box:

 BOB(p1=,
     title=,
     lastparm=);

So far so good, but it would be nice to do that Ctrl-I thing to fill in the parms. To do this we can add the meta command Cursor(<-CUR>) into the middle of the result, so the cursor will be placed there after the template expansion. We can put in a value and surround it with one of those back leaning quote marks like this:

 BOB(p1=<-CUR>`value`,
      title=,
      lastparm=);

Note, undocumented feature here. If you place the Cursor meta command immediately next to text within those back leaning quotes, the text will be highlighted automatically when the template expands. Next we could do the same for title, but lastparm has a default value(0). If we place the default value in those back quotes then when we press Ctrl-I to hop to it, we will have to overtype the default, or manually remove those ticks from around it. That's no good! So for a default value we can use the PROMPT meta command. This provides us a pop-up window where we can either hit enter to keep the default, or overtype the default and hit enter. It looks like this:

 BOB(p1=<-CUR>`value`,
     title=`my title`,
     lastparm=);
<-?>;

If you try this, you can see the prompt text will be displayed next to an edit box that already has the default value entered and highlighted. And we can hit the enter key to accept or just start typing to replace that value.

Ok, now we can expand the function BOB template by typing bob followed by a space, enter a value for lastparm, or just press enter to accept 0, overtype the first parm, hit Ctrl-I to get to the second parm, and overtype it. But that leaves our cursor just before the comma on the second line. No doubt we have more code to type in. So we would like to hop to the line after the call to BOB and keep typing, without using the mouse or arrow keys. To do that we add another meta command, the Field Marker (-<-?>):

 BOB(p1=<-CUR>´value´,
     title=´my title´,      lastparm=<PROMPT Enter the last parm´0>);
<-?>;

Now when the template expands after the last line you will see a /*?*/. To make this work, after overtyping `my title`, you press Ctrl-I again and the cursor will move to the place where /*?*/ starts, and /*?*/ will disappear. Now we are all set to go sticking calls to BOB all over our code! But wait! Shouldn't we document this somehow? It would be nice to have a comment above the call to - to say where it is stored. We could just hardcode this. Nah, that would be too simple.

If we always keep functions for a project in a subdirectory (called functions of course!) under the project directory with the code, we can automate this a bit. We can use the PATH meta command to enter the path to the current file, and just tack functions on to the end. Note, if you have long directory names involved in the path, they will have that squiggly format of being squeezed into DOS format names. Undocumented feature here, we can use the LFN meta command to render the path in a readable, long file name format. So our new template looks like this:

/**BOB is stored in functions **/
  BOB(p1=<-CUR>´value´,
      title=´my title´,
      lastparm=<PROMPT Enter the last parm`0>);
<-?>;

So we should get an expansion of the template that looks like the following with our cursor sitting on the line after "lastparm=" in the same column as BOB starts in. That is after we have stepped through filling out the parms and Ctrl-I'd (three times total) down to that line.

/**BOB is stored in c:\sas\p1\functions **/
 BOB(p1=55,
     title="Some cool title",      lastparm=0); _

You don't have to actually type all the meta commands in the edit window of the template edit dialog. Instead, you can press the metacommand button and pick them off a pop-up list. All except LFN of course!

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Input Your Suggestions in the Forum:
http://www.multiedit.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=7

**Please note that you can review/search through all forum topics,
but to submit a post you must register on the forums.

------------------------------Multi-Edit Partners----------------------------

Our aim is to provide our customers with the most appropriate software solution at competitive prices.

 

Axonware
Terenure , Dublin
» Phone : + 353 16535178
» Fax 01 6335746
» UK:0800 4049554
» Ireland 01-6535178
info@axonware.com

Customer Service

Upgrading to X

- Michele Hegwood

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Multi-Edit Upgrade Announcement

With the approaching release of our newest Multi-Editx products, we want to extend our show of appreciation to all of our users by prolonging our upgrade special until the end of May 2010. This means that any current users of Multi-Edit versions 9.10 & 2006 are eligible to upgrade to our most current version, ME2008 @ the current upgrade pricing. In turn, those who purchase an upgrade now will automatically receive a Free Upgrade to the newest build soon to be on the market. Once the release of the new build is out only users of 2008 will be capable of upgrading @ the discounted upgrade price. After May's deadline, any & all versions prior to NE2008 will no longer be accepted for upgrade, regardless.

So, those of you who currently own a Multi-Edit 9.10 or 2006 license & choose not to take advantage of this limited time offer, please be aware that an upgrade option will no longer exist after May 30th, 2010. You will however continue to receive product support from our staff via our support forums, & all update files will remain available to our users on our server for all prior releases of Multi-Edit.

Again, users who purchase during this exclusive opportunity will automatically be eligible to receive a Free Upgrade to the full release of our new Multi-Editx build. This offer applies to both the Lite & Full release versions of Multi-Edit.

**Multi-User/Network license upgrades must be handled thru our Sales Department directly to sales@multieditsoftware.com.

Act now, SAVE MONEY & guarantee your FREE Multi-Edit Upgrade!
https://www.multieditsoftware.com/meorder/

Placing the order?

The easiest & quickest way to purchase is thru our secure online ordering page @ https://www.multieditsoftware.com/meorder/. Remember, serial numbers beginning w/ME910 or ME2k6 only are eligible for the upgrade price. If you experience problems w/ the online ordering system not accepting your ME910 or ME2k6 license, please send me an email (sales@multieditsoftware.com) & I'll validate your license for upgrade.

Verifying your current version?

To check the version you are currently running & to view your license information, please run your current copy of Multi-Edit & select Help | About, this should display your serial number. If you are not running Multi-Edit, or just can't seem to locate your serial number, please email me directly w/ your registration &/or original billing information & I will attempt to locate it for you.

Registration?

Product registration is going to prove to be more important to you from now on as opposed to the past. This is because I will use the information you provide to guide me in setting-up future promotions for each of you, not to mention helping me to keep a clean, resourceful client database. What information is important to include in your registration? Well, your name & company name (if applicable), address, email address, serial number, & where you purchased. This will allow me to contact you w/ any unique promotional offers for upgrades & new products as they are released. These will included promos not available or offered through any other company.. Really, the most important reason for proper registration is to ensure YOU receive the highest quality of support from ME. When any of you contact ME w/any type of challenge, question, or concern, my first line of action is to establish you as a registered client. In turn, this expedites the support you receive. So I ask, help me to help you by helping me… simply register your product.

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Always at your service and available for any questions,

Michele Hegwood
Multi Edit Software, Inc.
Michele Hegwood: sales@multieditsoftware.com

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