Setting page/fontsize attributes

[Rich Shepard <rshepard appl-ecosys com>]

Running dia-0.97.3 on Slackware64-14.2 and I've looked for answers in the
dia-manual.pdf without finding the answers to my questions.

I am creating a database schema diagram of tables and columns on letter
paper. I want to change the display to a single page rather than what
appears to be a large grid of pages, with marginal rulers in to-me-unknown
units.

While initially I selected 'points' rather than 'picas' for font size the
data entry dialog box offers only fractional sizes between [0.0-1.0] and I
don't understand what these numbers represent.

When the font size values are 0.5 or greater the diagram is truncated at the
page edges. When less than 0.5 the printed PDF is blank.

If these issues are covered in the manual please point me to the appropriate
sections. If not, please teach me how to work with dia.

TIA,

Rich