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Vista and Windows 7
installation or Windows migration issues. |
Help on moving an old
installation to another (newer) computer. |
After reformatting my hard drive and re-installing your program I'm in the prompter DEMO mode? |
Occasionally a word was dropped from the end of a line on the ouptput monitor. |
I purchased your teleprompting software but the program runs in the DEMO MODE? Software License installation problems |
When I save and convert a
Word DOC to an RTF
file words or partial words are added or missing at the
end of the line. |
W7
Access or Permission Errors |
The teleprompting program response is too slow or jerky scrolling. |
Do your products support Flash Drives? |
The prompter scrolling speed seems to change by itself. |
Is there a way begin teleprompting at a predetermined point other than the beginning. |
When I use the mouse wheel to control the prompter speed, scrolling starts off jumpy. |
I get a blank screen after clicking Play. |
When adjusting the speed or font size while prompter scrolling (using the adjustment play screen) it takes a long time to register the changes I made. |
The mouse wheel control for prompting speed does not work. |
The screen is half reversed when I use the reverse mirror text option (half reverse, half normal). |
Tips on using a serial port hand controller with StudioPrompter |
Start from cursor does not work. |
Using AutoStart to start prompting on program startup. (StudioPrompter) |
Checking your Video Mode |
Using
the Matrox G400/G450 video adapter with StudioPrompter |
The Task Bar scrolls up the screen when in 800x600 resolution. |
I still can not get the teleprompter software to work for me? |
I have a 486 Laptop, I got TeleScreen-32 PRO to work! |
Why are your prompter programs so inexpensive? |
Why are your teleprompter programs so small? |
Two methods to move your software application to another computer.
1) The easiest is to re-install the application using the download file from our Download page. After installing on the new computer, copy the binary license file from the old install folder or copy the license file from the from the email you received when purchased.
2) The second method is a folder copy. Locate the application folder in [Program Files] on your "C" drive. After locating the app folder, right click on the folder icon and select [Copy].
Now we [Paste] the entire folder into a temporary folder, or a memory stick, or a flash drive or another computer(if on a network). You can [Paste] the app folder anywhere needed. Because the binary license was also copied, it will run from where ever you pasted it. You may want to add a short-cut onto your Desktop pointing to the executable file (.exe) in the newly moved app folder.
Our programs works well in W7. You must however have the permissions set to full read and write on the LitePrompter4 or StudioPrompterLite folder; and the user privileges to copy and change it's files. The W7 default was set to read only when you installed the software. To change, right click on the LitePrompter4/StudioPrompterLite folder, select properties, then change the Read Only to unchecked. If the permissions are very strong, sometimes you may have to change the LitePrompter4/StudioPrompterLite folder individual file properties.
You may need to also change the user privileges on the Security tab of the properties page. Use the edit button there. Once you change the User [Modify] rights, all should be okay. Make sure you 'Apply' the changes. This only needs to be done one time.
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Dropped words and or partial missing words at the end of a line are usually caused by the converted WORD doc control codes. When converting to RTF, all of the WORD page formatting codes are converted in the process. This includes the indents, paragraph indents, soft line returns etc.. These formatting options and codes are meant for a printed page and are of little use when teleprompting.
We suggest you open (RTF file) or paste the Word text into StudioPrompter then use [Save Text File As...] text only, using the [Save As Type] option. This removes the extra Word formatting control codes. Next re-open the text only version and re-establish the fonts and colors, then save the script as an RTF file. You only need to do this text-convert one time for problem Word files.
Unicode fonts may also cause dropped words and question marks (???) , use True Type only.
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Is there a way to begin scrolling at a predetermined point other than the beginning. Or, do we have to let the script scroll and stop it at the appropriate point?
You can use the jump markers to do this.
Here's how:
- Go to the text line you want to start from (multiple jump markers are okay).
- Insert this; ^##^ where the ## is a number from 1-99. We'll use '9' in this example.
- Add another one elsewhere, say ^75^ at line 100 or 1000.
- Save the text file, and go go back to the beginning of the file.
- You now have 2 jump markers 9 and 75
- When editing, enter 75 in the small Jump box next to the [GO] button on the bottom of the main screen, and click [GO], this will go to the jump marker position @ 75.
- When doing a shoot, and you are at the main screen, enter the 9 in the jump box and the scrolling will start @ jump marker position @9. You can have 99 of these jump markers per document.
- It is important to have the ^ carat marker on both sides of the jump number, else the program will think it's just text and skip the jump marker. You must also put spaces on both sides of the jump marker. Not doing this will cause characters to be dropped when the markers are stripped out for viewing.
When I use the mouse wheel to control the prompter speed, scrolling starts off jumpy.
- This is caused by TeleScreen-32 loading the windows mouse wheel driver.
- To work around this, rotate the mouse wheel when on the main screen and before clicking [Play]. This will load the driver prior to scrolling. This should eliminate the jumpies.
- By rotating the mouse forward the speed increases and rotating backward (towards oneself) the speed decreases. You can program how much the speed changes (via the mouse wheel ) in the [Mode Configure] [Configure Keys] option.
Slow program response and/or Jerky scrolling movement?
- Too many multitasking processes running in your computer.
- Your computer is too slow, try installing on a faster computer.
- Make sure your video (card) driver is installed and
working.
- Use the Screen Resolution option to shrink the scroll area or the window sizing option (Pro version).
- Use a smaller output screen resolution by changing your display to the 640 x 480 - 256 color mode.
- Use NT4.0 or higher if possible with a 64 or 128 bit video board.
- Use a small number of colors; change the display to the 256 color mode.
- If your computer is very fast, try more colors or complex fonts to slow it down.
- Scan Converter is jittery, Set your windows video refresh rate to 60(NTSC), or 50 PAL.
- Try a 640x480 display, this is closer to NTSC.
- Use colors that your scan converter doesn't have to convert to NTSC colors.
- If you are using w95/98, try using the [Sync W/ Retrace] option. This will slow it down but provide a very smooth scroll.
I get a blank screen after clicking play.
- Is the font color the same as the background screen color?
- No text file has been loaded into TeleScreen-32, or there is no text in the edit box.
- Maybe the 10 -second pre-scroll pause option is toggled on.
- The current delay is too long.
- If using a laptop, try changing the [Screen Res] or [Output Window Size] to a size smaller than the maximum possible screen size. Example; If your laptop's display is 640x480, try 600x440. Some laptops use a virtual display mode which can be larger than your logical display size. This causes problems sometimes.
- Also, sometimes the [Pixel Processing] setting can make a
difference if set to a mode that your video card can not
support. Try changing [Pixel Processing] to 8
bit, this usually works well.
- Another possibility is, you are using the overlay option of your video card. TeleScreen-32 only uses Windows 95/95/Nt standard video output via your VGA output port. Are you using a scan converter or genlock to capture the video and feed it into your video card's capture port?
The screen is half reversed when I use the reverse mirror text option (half reverse, half normal).
- This is caused when the Pixel Processing option is set to bit rates that will not work with your current video driver. Change Pixel Processing to 8 bit or 1 bit and try again.
- The Pixel Processing options should be used to influence the speed of scrolling. Some PC's can only handle certain pixel processing. In general, 256 color mode video cards can only use 8 or 4 bit pixel processing comfortably. True Color can use 24 or 8 bit only. "Device" works with your operating system to determine the optimum pixel processing capability. However, if your system can handle 24 bit processing by changing the pixel to less than 24, you can increase your scrolling speed.
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When adjusting the teleprompter speed or font size while scrolling (using the adjustment play screen) it takes a long time to register the changes I made.
- The program checks for changes such as keystrokes, page down, page up, arrow keys, escape, space bar, and mouse clicks only at the end of a scrolled line, or after a line has finished being painted on the screen. The larger the font size, the slower response time for speed change.
- Find the font size you desire, place your text in loop mode, and play it. Once it begins scrolling, hold down the page up key to speed it up, and press the page down key to slow the scroll down. Once the scroll is at your approximate speed, use the arrow keys to adjust to precise speed. You also have the option of using the Delay slider on the adjustment screen to change speeds. Toggle off the Vmode button to go to adjustment screen.
- This program also allows you to save this particular configuration so you don't have to adjust for future use. Using the File pull down menu, click on [Save Configuration As].
In all DRS teleprompting programs you can change the scrolling speed, while scrolling text, by using the Page and Arrow keys. If these keys do not seem to change the speed try changing to the 8/16 bit color display mode in Windows Control Panel Display Settings or buy another video card with more video ram.
When your speed control method does not seem to change the scrolling speed, it usually indicates that your machine is working extra hard to scroll the graphic page in your current screen resolution and color depth. The various keyboard and mouse controls will also react sluggishly. To remedy this situation you should change your color depth to 8 or 16 bit and change to screen resolution to 800x600 or 1024x768.
To change your color resolution ot color depth, use the[Start] [Settings] [Control Panel] [ Display][ Settings] option in windows to change to the 8 or 16 bit color mode.
You can also use these suggestions for more improvement:
- Change the [Window Size] to a smaller size or use a size smaller than your actual max screen size.
- Make sure your current video (card) driver is installed and working.
- Turn off ALL background application, especially if they
are sharing/using your video memory.
- Select and use the [Pixel Processing] option to 4/8 bit or lower. This may provide a slight improvement.
- Use simple fonts like Arial. Use white fonts on a black background.
- Buy a video card with at least 2-4 megs of ram.
Checking your Prompting Video Mode
Click on the [About] option from the main menu [Help] option. The about box has a "BPP" setting displayed. The "BPP" is your current [Bits Per Pixel] setting.
The [BBP] caption on the Help -> About panel should be 8, not 16, 24 or 32; if you are having slow speed problems. On the other hand if your display is too fast and you can not slow it down, change your display to 24 or 32 bit, this will force the CPU and graphics card to work a little harder and take longer, or use the [Sync/w Retrace] option if using W95/98/ME.
If the [Bits Per Pixel] caption is not 8, use the[Start] [Settings] [Control Panel] [ Display Settings]option in windows to change to the 256 color mode.
If this does not improve the scrolling speed please buy a
newer computer or a 4 meg 32/64 bit video card.
The teleprompter scrolling speed seems to
change by itself.
Another symptom is the speed is much slower or faster after
scrolling, returning to the edit screen, and then playing
again.
The Mouse Movement Speed Control option changes the speed of scrolling when you move the mouse forward and backward when the play screen is visible.
The problem is caused by having the[Control the speed when playing with] [Mouse Movement], and using the mouse to close the play screen by clicking on the play screen. Note: Even the smallest mouse movement will change the speed when the play screen is visible.
To verify this problem, press [Alt] [P] to play, then don't
move the mouse while scrolling. Then press [Esc] to close the
play screen. If the speed does not change, this is indeed the
problem. To turn the mouse movement speed control off,
click [Screen] panel then click the check box [Control
the speed when playing with] [Keyboard Only]. You will then
have to use the arrow, PgUp PgDn keys or the mouse wheel to
control the scrolling speed.
If you choose to use the Mouse Movement Speed Control option, use the keyboard to toggle the play and edit screens. Press the [Esc] key to close the play screen and [Alt] [P] to start the scrolling from the edit screen.
Remark: The Mouse Wheel option is not available in
LitePrompter.
After
registering my software, it still starts in demo mode. How
come?
If after following instructions that where sent with your
registration, the registration does not seem to work (the
[Help][About ...] panel shows no registered user) read the
following.
Most email program have no problems extracting the binary
registration file that was sent to you. However there are some
email programs (like MS Outlook) that may damage or discard
the binary registration file because the extraction process
believes the registration file may be a virus. If your email
program has virus checking turned on, turn it off long enough
to extract the attached binary file. If this is not possible,
please request a zipped version of your registration file from
DRS-DIGITRAX. Click here for further
instructions.
I have a 496 Laptop and at first, it was
just way too pokey. . .
The following was submitted by Mark from CMS State College in
Illinois.
I've been trying out the t-32 demo, and I congratulate you on
a revolutionary product at a reasonable price.
I've been trying to get it to run as well on my 486DX Toshiba
laptop, and at first, it was just way too
pokey. I thought I could not use your product at all, but
after a little tinkering, I DID get it to run okay:
- I dropped my windows screen colors below 256.
- I manually re-sized your output window to about a quarter screen.
- I dropped the pixel setting to "device"
- I dropped the font (MS Sans bold) to between 4 and 8 point size.
- I set it for V mode, no scroll control showing on-screen.
Here's the cheat:
The next step was to use my Averkey IMicro scan converter ($89) on it's one and only "zoom" setting, to re-inflate the tiny script on the way to the prompter head. Now I've got decent speed and good size, at a slight loss of overall resolution, but man it still beats the pants off my old DOS based program! Congrats again on a terrific product.
/Mark
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Tips on using a Stewart Inst hand
controller with Studio Prompter
Stopping and Pausing
When using the hand controller, it controls the forward ,
reverse and pause/stop. The mouse (right click) reversing is
dis-connected when using the hand controller.
To see how this works, first click the [Pause on Max Delay]. When controlling the forward speed, slow the speed down until the scrolling stops. If you continue to turn the controller in the same direction it will start reversing at slow speed. The further you rotate the controller the faster the reverse will go.
The Pause or stop position on the controller is about in the middle of the controller's rotation. If you do not have [Pause on Max Delay] checked, it will will not stop, just slow down, then change scrolling directions.
Looking for the Hand Controller
This option will discover and connect your hand controller to
StudioPrompter. You should plug the Hand Controller into the
appropriate port (serial or game). Then click the [Look for
Hand Controller] option.
While StudioPrompter looks for your hand controller, you must rotate the control full right then full left two or three times. StudioPrompter is learning about your hand controller in this step. You will see a pair of eyes rotating as the StudioPrompter checks the hand controller. If you do not see the eyeballs rotating, no controller has been found. The rate that is displayed on the [Look for Hand Controller] button will change as you rotate your hand controller. The higher the rate, the more control your hand controller will have when controlling Studioprompter. Rates above 220 or so, are good, lower rates will limit the width of the pause position as mentioned above in Stopping and Pausing.Lower rates will also make the control very touchy. When the Look for Hand controller process stops you are setup.
If there is a smillie face next to the [Look for Hand Controller] button, this indicates a good reading. If no smillie face, but there is a rate indicated on the [Look for Hand Controller] button, the control may not be optimal. Be sure to save your configuration settings after using this procedure.
Note: Older slower machines will indicate a rate
between 80-200, this is still usable.
Start from cursor does not work
In version 1.5.0.300 of StudioPrompter you must use the
[Alt][P] keyboard shortcut to start your scrolling session if
using [Start From Cursor]. Using the mouse to click the
play button will remove the cursor from the text editor. This
will make the "start from line", the first line in the text.
This will be changed in the nexrt revision.
Using AutoStart to start prompting on
program startup. (StudioPrompter)
In version 1.7.4 or greater of StudioPrompter you must use the
[Save Default Configuration] in addtion to the shortcut
modification.
Using the Matrox G450/550 video adapter
with StudioPrompter (not compatible with W95)
Starting with version 1.9.3.344, you can use this adapter for
Dual Monitor support. If you have a second monitor attached to
the second video port on the G450 video adapter, you can run
StudioPrompter in the Dual Monitor mode. This mode provides
the operator with the console screen running on the first
monitor. When running in this mode you can change speed,
reverse and pause etc., while the Talent is reading from the
second monitor. This version of StudioPrompter also provides a
scrolling display on the operators console screen to track the
Talents reading position.
To use the StudioPrompter Matrox Mode.
1) You must be running a newer windows OS. Windows 95, Matrox
G450/550 and StudioPrompter will not work together. We suggest
Windows 2000 sp1 or W98. Click [Window][Use Second Monitor for
Scrolling]. Be sure to save your StudioPrompter configuration
after making these changes.
Very Important: You must have the Matrox card in the
DualHead display mode. When installing your Matrox video
driver be sure to check the "Separate Display" option of page
3 of the Matrox Driver Installer. This will insure that the
Matrox driver acts as if 2 separate video boards are
installed. The clone mode will not work because the same
signal is going to both monitors. In the [Control
Panel][Display][Settings] panel, make sure you have "Extend my
Windows desktop onto this Monitor" checked.
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Task Bar scrolls up. (StudioPrompter)
In W95/98 StudioPrompter you must use the
[Start][Taskbar & Start Menu][Taskbar Options] to uncheck
the [Task Bar On Top]. This will prevent the Task Bar from
insisting that it be on top. When it is on top, and will not
allow itself to be hidden, it scrolls up the screen the first
time a scroll is started.
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Why are your prompter programs so small?
- In today's Windows PC, one of our main product philosiphies has become not to alter the end users computer in any way.
- We do not add visual basic, OCX, ActiveX or any specialized libraries to your system to make our software work on your platform.
- Our programs will, and must work on a standard Windows OS release without exception.
- Our programs are small packages due to the absence of additional work around libraries and our programming methods. Our code is written using object pascal, "C" and assembly language making it extremely tight and efficient.
- We are mostly old-fashioned and use our own home-grown programming solutions. And our two primary programming managers are both over 50 years of age. They started programming well before Windows version 1.0.
Some of our OEM and International release versions (Japanese, etc.) are larger (5+megs) due to the install packages that provide the foreign language install instructions. The actual end user installed programs still meet our "small footprint" philosophy even in a 100 percent alternate language version.
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Why are your teleprompter programs so
inexpensive?
Have you left something out of them? NO
Our products are less expensive than most on the market for the same capability. Our prices are low for the following reasons:
- Our software is used primarily for video that usually provides some type of self or project improvement as a result of it's use. Just because our software works with video/broadcast type projects is no reason to gouge the end user. We understand we will never get rich with this philosophy, that's okay, we don't want to.
- The assumed market value we place on our products is meant to address both the low end and high end user needs as well as their price range.
- We take great pride in customer satisfaction. It's what drives us!
Purchased Software License (generic installation)
First, If you have not downloaded and installed the version you purchased a license for, please do so now completely before continuing. It is also suggested that you make a copy of both the downloaded program and your binary software license file attachment that was sent to you. Please record the installation folder location, you will need this in step 3 below.
The files you may have received below are based on product purchased.
Either a *.bin file or *.key file | Your encrypted binary software license file: There is no human readable information in this file. Opening and saving the binary registration file will invalidate the file. Do not try to put this file in your registry! |
Readme_Install.txt | Step by step instructions. |
install.bat | This will copy the license file to your installation folder if you used the default installation folders. (Due to virus protection It may not be present in your package.) |
receipt.txt |
A copy of your purchase transaction. |
This encrypted binary license file contains information about you or your company. It must be present in your the physical product installation folder for the registration to take place. To activate your software and remove the trial product name text from the scrolling display, follow these instructions. Note: Your license email package may be sent as a "zipped" file and may require that you have WinZip installed on computer.
If you did not receive an "zipped" email file attachment, [Copy] or [Save As] the binary email attachment directly into the physical folder that you actually installed your software into.
If you did receive a "zipped" email file attachment follow the next 5 steps.
(1) Double click on the zipped file attachment. and use winzip to extract the files.
(2) When the Winzip program appears select all files in the zip archive click on the 'Extract" option.
(3) When the Extract folder appears, locate your Installation folder using the WinZip Folders/Drives window. Start at "C:\Program Files", then locate the "DRS-Digitrax Services" folder. NOTE: If you did not use the default installation folder when installing your DRS-DIGITRAX software, you will need to locate that folder now. Next double click the physical folder that you actually installed your software in.
(4) Click the "Extract" button to extract or save the files to the installation folder, then close the Winzip and your email program if they are still open. Registration installation is finished.
(5) To verify that the registration license is installed, start your application and click the [Help][About...] option to check the registered name and phone number on the About panel. There will be a Support IDentification number on the [Help][About...] panel. The SID will be needed if you call, fax or email DRS-DIGITRAX for software customer support.
Other reasons for the application DEMO mode default (if you have purchased a license).
First, make sure the installed version of software matches the license you have purchased. Each major software version has a different and specific license for that version. Example, version 4 license will not work with version 6 software.
For earlier versions of our software's using Vista and Windows 7 you must have the correct read/write permissions set on the entire installation app folder. Drill down and locate the application folder and run the application from there to test. Make sure you have full read and write permissions to the application folder and it's contents, including the license file. Check the binary software license file property's page, make sure the binary software license file attributes are set to read and write.
If you do not have an IT person to change the permissions follow the instructions below to change the read/write permissions. This needs to be done one time only.
1) Right click on the application folder icon.
2) Click the [Properties] tab on the popup panel.
3) Next click the [Security] tab
4) Select your user name
5) Next, change the [Permissions for Users] to Allow [Full Control].
Click the [Apply] button.
If adding a Short-Cut to your desktop.
If you add a short-cut to your desktop, you must make sure that the Startup In: folder entry under the short-cut's Target: properties is set to your installation folder. Failure to do this will force your program to run in the DEMO mode.
Example Short-Cut Properties:
Target: "C:\Program Files\DRS-Digitrax Services\TeleScreen4\telescreen32.exe"
Startup In: "C:\Program Files\DRS-Digitrax Services\TeleScreen4"
You can also use the installation's Short-cut under [Start][Programs]. This short-cut was setup when you installed the program.
If you are on a Network.
All users must have read and write access to the software license file and the configuration files. If on a network, the user must have read and write privileges to the installation folder. Failure to do this will force your program to run in the DEMO mode. See your network administrator about your file permissions.
If recording your software license to CD.
Making a CD backup of your binary sofware license file and the downloaded program file is highly suggested (in case you need to reinstall the software). When installing the software license file from your backup CD make sure you change the binary sofware license file attributes to read and write after installing it from your backup CD. Use the binary sofware license file properties page to change the file attributes to read and write.
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Use the Vertical Spacing adjustment to remove or add vertical space to each line being scrolled. If the space between the lines is to large you may see artifacts or partial lines when using reverse mirror text. Adjusting the Vertical Spacing to a smaller amount will correct this.
You can do this while prompting text on a Dual Monitor system to see the changes. Check the Show Operator Scroll Monitor menu option to place the operator monitor on the left side then use the Vertical Spacing adjustment on the Screen Panel or Font Panel on the right side to make this adjustment.
If you use all caps, you could minimize the vertical spacing to permit more lines to be seen on the play screen while scrolling.
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With TeleScreen-32 version 5 and StudioPrompter version 3, the Second Monitor menu option (on the top main menu) appears when your second display appears to Windows as a separate second display adapter. The clone virtual, or copy mode will not work because the same signal is going to both monitors. In the [Control Panel][Display][Settings] panel, make sure you have "Extend my Windows desktop onto this Monitor" checked. You will need to restart the program after changing this setting.
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Can I install to or save files on flash drives.
If you need to install our teleprompter/display program onto a flash drive to be run elsewhere, do this:
1) UN-install the original DRS program first, if it is already installed on your computer. Else the installer will detect the original program and halt install attempts.
2) Insert your flash drive (128 meg minimum recommended).
3) Double click on the downloaded or a copy of the DRS installation file.
4) During the installation you must Change the Destination Folder option to your flash drive.
5) After the program installation finishes, copy your license file (in the original c: drive installation folder) to the flash drive installation folder. You are now a portable prompter! Please understand the flash drive is considered your runable backup installation.
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I still can not get the DRS teleprompting software to work for me?
Because there are a zillion different computer hardware and windows software configurations, there may be remedies and methods not listed here. Email or call us with your platform's configuration if you are having problems getting StudioPrompter working for you.TOP
Jump To markers are used as a marked line "jump-to" positioning option.
Scrolling will start from this "marked" line.
You can change the actual marker character (delimiter) on the Text Markers panel to suit your particular needs. We have used the carrot ^ as an example only. You MUST use a character (inserted into the Character box) when using Jump To Markers. If you don't, your markers will be seen during the script scrolling. Also, make sure your Marker Character for jump-to's are different from the characters used for Image Markers.
use jump to markers, place your cursor on the line you want to mark. Right click your mouse and then click [Insert Jump-To Marker] to indicate a marked line or "jump to" position. Make sure you click on Refresh to add the Jump To Markers to the Select Marker Line list. To start from a marker in your text, use the Select the Marker Line from Markers - Color Bar Panel and choose the marker number to start the scroll.