OVER 2 YOU 224 (29/03/05)

PLAYWARE

Does anyone know of any software or a website, which can help someone to write plays for TV or radio in the correct format, setting out how to present dialogue, scene details, movements and so on.

Roslyn Ousey, via email

The BBC's writing room, as well as offering advice and opportunities to aspiring radio and TV writers, lets you download software to help format scripts for radio, TV and sketch shows. Go to the writer’s room at www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom and click on the 'Script Smart' link. There are several downloads with varying functionalities to suit most PC operating systems. In addition to this, you can look at examples of scripts, which have already made their way onto the screen and radio. Sadly, as I know to my cost, use of Script Smart does not guarantee you will ever see or hear your work on the dear old Beeb!

David Nixon, via email

The following web site, which has details of a Scriptwriters Toolkit, may be of use to Roslyn: www.datahighways.net/dhl/toolkit.htm.

Ian Thirlwell, Portsmouth

I suggest Roslyn looks at the Open University short course A176, called ‘Start Writing Plays’. The next course starts in May, but applications must be made about now. The course costs £99.00. I am currently studying the ‘Start writing Your Family History’ course, which is very good.

John H Hope, via email

Your correspondent will find a small selection of screenwriting software and tutorials on the following web site: www.pubinfo.vcu.edu/artweb/

playwriting/software.html

Alan Heath, via email

If you don’t mind the American slant then it is well worth reading through the e-book ‘Scriptwriting Secrets’ written by Steven Sashen, which you will find at: www.scriptwritingsecrets.com/. It is full of useful, though often basic tips and wrinkles, plus lots of inside information that should help you to get started on your new career or hobby.

Michael Stewart, via email

WHITE PRINTING?

I use Windows 98 and a Canon printer. How can I print white images on dark coloured paper? Does anyone know of a manufacturer who can supply cartridges filled with white ink? 

John Beaumont, via email

Even if your correspondent could find the white ink, I doubt if it would provide the necessary depth of cover on black paper. To test, he could try printing the image in yellow and see if the result is acceptable. If not, white would be no better, even if available. The other solution is to process the document to be printed using "invert colours" under "picture" in Microsoft Paint or some other image processing program. This will provide a negative image. It would of course be heavy on black ink, but that might still be cheaper and better quality than buying white ink, if this exists.

Michael Scuffil, Leverkusen, Germany

I don't know of any cartridges with white ink, but a possible solution would be to open a suitable program such as Paintbox or Microsoft Picture It Photo.  Get a blank page up on the screen and flood it with black colour.  Then add your typing in white by selecting Add print and the colour White.  This will give the effect you require - though will use a lot of black ink!

H. Kemmett, via email

Contrary to popular myth there is no white ink useable in the same way as, say, white paint. On printed material it is the darker areas that are printed and the white that you see is the paper showing through.

James Humphris, via email

A white inkjet printer does exist, the Durst Rho 205 printer, which is made by a specialist Italian firm. However, despite being described as ‘economical’ on the company’s web site (www.durstus.com/press/press-019.php), it is clearly a professional large format model that costs a small fortune, nor, as far as I can see are the inks it uses available for use on any other makes or models of printer. 

Clive Johnson, via email

White inkjet printer ink is available on special order from a company called Eastech (www.eastechdigital.com/Eastech/Products.asp, click the Ink link), though I’m fairly sure this only works on professional printers but it may be worth investigating, and if you can get hold of some, try refilling an old cartridge, though it would need to be thoroughly ‘flushed’ first with a cleaning fluid, to avoid colour contamination.

Helen Carr, via email

White printer cartridges are available for the Alps MD series printers for around £5.00. The printers are intended for the professional market but second hand models turn up now and again on ebay for less than £100

Jeff Grayson, via email

CAN YOU HELP?

I produce tickets using Microsoft Publisher 2002 for events and outings organised by my local Women’s Institute.  I create them in File > Page Setup > Custom and print 6 or 8 to the page. However, it is often necessary for the tickets to be numbered.  Is it possible to number tickets in Publisher, or can anyone suggest a better method?

Chris Moore, Colchester

I am using a Microsoft Works spreadsheet to record the scores in a new Stableford (points) competition at my Golf Club. It involves adding the points scored by each competitor for each month, January - December. The winner is decided by the BEST 8 monthly scores out of a possible 12.  At present, my 'Total' column (O) has the formula of ‘SUM’ any of the previous 12 monthly columns (C -N).  When September arrives I will need a formula for Column ‘O’, which counts the values and for more than 8 simply sums the best 8, discarding any surplus lowest values.  My knowledge of formula construction (ordering, separators, etc) has proved insufficient. Can anyone suggest how can it be done?

Lyndon Dunley, via email