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& UNICOM 3.0g Corrections and Enhancements
FIXED: Unicom 3.0f would not work for some while using
Windows Standard Mode or with a 286 CPU.
FIXED: ESC[?3l - ANSI Command to switch to 80 column
mode caused a UAE only when using a large scroll
buffer size.
FIXED: % Efficiency report was incorrect in 3.0f only.
It now is calculated by the port baud rate OR by
the modem speed report after dialing from the
directory.
FIXED: The upload file selection window excluded files
that did not have the archive bit set.
CHANGED: Notification Music (via UNICOM.SND file)
was disabled in favor of the system asterisk
.WAV file for sound card users. To restore
this feature, place the following line in your
win.ini under the [UNICOM] section.
OLDSOUND=TRUE
FIXED: Slow startup synchronization for CompuServe
protocols for both uploading and downloading.
UNICOM 3.0f Corrections and Enhancements
FIXED: Shell to DOS in host mode not reliable in Win 3.1
FIXED: Error report for each file uploaded in X-Y-Zmodem.
FIXED: Downloaded file using X-Y-Z had an invalid date
and file attribute in 3.0E only.
Unicom now provides the actual file date.
FIXED: Slow response sending keypad keys.
NEW: NOITALICS win.ini option to disable italics (blinking).
NEW: BACKGROUNDCOLORS win.ini option that assigns dim
colors to background colors for game support.
UNICOM 3.0e Corrections and Enhancements
FIXED: CompuServe B excessive timeouts in 3.0d only.
FIXED: CompuServe B protocols startup problem.
FIXED: Inverse reset to white on black upon receipt
of ESC[0m - now resets to preset terminal colors.
FIXED: Script port command cleared port connection type.
FIXED: Excessive errors during XY transfers in 3.0d only.
FIXED: Unsuccessful directory search produced no notification.
FIXED: 128kb port baud selection actually selected 256kb.
CHANGED: Screen erase in ANSI-BBS now defaults to erase entire
screen ( ESC[2J) when ESC[J is received. Previously it
erased from the cursor to the end of screen(ESC[0J);
VT102 defaults to ESC[0J when ESC[J is received.
FIXED: Zmodem upload & download option: Send if file newer (or
longer) did not work.
FIXED: Script GetFile Quickb did not work.
CHANGED: Zmodem downloading will now abort if there is not enough
room on the drive. It previously produced a file of
0 length when the disk was full.
FIXED: Exiting Unicom without opening a port caused a UAE.
UNICOM 3.0d Corrections and Enhancements
NEW: Telephone tech support hours: 9am-5pm Pacific time weekdays
NEW: VT102 Transparent print option added.
NEW: Skinny BBS640x480 Font for VGA displays included. All columns
are visible on a zoomed window.
NEW: Login scripts for popular bbs systems are provided
NEW: Procomm to Unicom directory converter utility provided
FIXED: Unicom stole cursor from other applications.
FIXED: Directory Update problem over duplicate phone number entries.
FIXED: VT102 Font Selections and various screen display problems.
FIXED: Scroll buffer select hilite above top caused program slowdown or hang.
FIXED: Terminal font name is now remembered for next session.
FIXED: Hi-res video users only: Font name not selected in terminal setup
window caused display of triangles on screen then lockup.
FIXED: Duplicate lines would appear on the screen during scrolling.
FIXED: Text copied and pasted into other apps was not formated properly
FIXED: Script 'WHILE' malfunctioned if a gosub was before the endwhile.
CHANGED: Improved ABORTs for CompuServe Protocols
CHANGED: No program reminder screens after program start (except exit)
during 21-day evaluation period.
CHANGED: Compatible with Shivanet comm driver.
CHANGED: ASCII transfers can transmit unprintable and hi-bit characters.
UNICOM 3.0C Corrections and Enhancements
CHANGED: Font selection/use was limited to only the 1st 38.
This restriction is now removed, all fonts are available.
FIXED: Prefix/Suffix dialing unreliable or didn't work.
FIXED: CompuServe B/Quickb would not start for some and
now works at 9600 baud.
FIXED: Display trapped on 25th line problem (was supposed
to be fixed in 3.0a snuck back into 3.0b and is now
finally corrected).
CHANGED: Host Greeting, Bulletin and Menu files can now display
files containing ANSI escape codes or other binary codes.
NEW: Script Commands Added (See Online Help):
StrLeft - returns left n chars of string
StrRight - returns right n chars of string
StrMid - returns n chars of string at starting position
StrPos - returns position index of matching substring
NEW: NOBOLD win.ini option added for disabling bold text.
NEW: Tool Bar option added to Control Menu for enabling
or disabling tool bar.
NEW: 16 Color support. Prior 3.0 versions were limited to 8 colors.
FIXED: Copy then paste into Notepad lost 1st column.
FIXED: Default comm port selection did not select a connection type.
FIXED: Zmodem file mgmt options remember their position. Append to
existing file and protect existing file options were repaired.
FIXED: Script SendFile command would not parse correctly.
FIXED: Program could lock when trying to exit when the modem
did not respond to a reset command. (MS driver lockup)
FIXED: Entering host mode from script would not check the
menu checkmark in the control menu.
FIXED: During port errors, a received character would not be
displayed unless you typed a character (terminal mode only).
FIXED: Beep would sound when loading directory even if notification
beeps were turned off in the general setup window.
FIXED: UAE when you exited Unicom with the ReadMe Help window open.
FIXED: No Port Connection report during CompuServe B/QB transfers.
CHANGED: Unicom now automatically converts your 2.0 directory
to 3.0 format upon activating the dial directory.
CHANGED: Host mode will instruct your modem to answer on the
ring specified in the modem setup window in the selected
init string section. If this setting is zero, Unicom
will instruct the modem to answer on ring 1.
CHANGED: The escape key now works as an abort during modem
initialization.
UNICOM 3.0b corrects 3.0a as follows:
FIXED: Excessive errors during
X/Y/Zmodem uploading with
MBBS and similar type bulletin boards.
UNICOM 3.0a corrects 3.0 as follows:
KEYBOARD
FIXED: Hot Keys ^^colrow now work
in description fields of
the keyboard macro editor.
FIXED: UAE when exiting UNICOM with
the dial directory displayed.
FIXED: Loss of access to terminal
setup after executing example
scripts: GDI.scr and/or Ellipse.scr
FIXED: Numeric keypad now works
when numlock is on.
FIXED: Occasional Product damaged
error incorrectly reported.
SCRIPT:
FIXED: InputString Command did not
update the variable on consecutive
uses of same variable.
FIXED: CompuServe example script file
requires double quotes around
"^C". This is now required for
all strings.
DIALING:
FIXED: UNICOM window would pop
to the top upon unsuccessful
repeat dialing.
DISPLAY
FIXED: Screen repaint problems with a
version of windows above 3.0 but
below 3.2.
FIXED: Display trapped on 25th line
when host positions cursor
to this line multiple times
without moving off.
& What's New in UNICOM Release 3
* Windows 3.1 and 3.0 Compatibility
* DEC VT-102 ( ANSI ) Compatibility:
Double size characters are supported with all standard
attributes. VT-100 and VT-52 are supported.
* New WinScript Windows Script Language:
Over 200 statements and commands give you
powerful control over communication,windows,
graphics and more!
* High Baud Rate Ready - up to 128kb:
When driver and hardware support arrives,
UNICOM will be ready to operate at 38.4kb,
57.6kb and 128 kb.
* Improved Screen Handling
Our new screen handler gives you the best
performance possible in the Windows
environment.
* 16 Color Support
* AUTO File Downloading:
UNICOM automatically senses download
operations for Zmodem and CompuServe then
starts on its own.
* Download File Marker Feature:
Highlight a file in the expanded 1500 line
scroll buffer. UNICOM will remember your
choices.
* Script Learn Capability:
Generates a WinScript command file as you
interact with the remote host. Useful for
recording login scripts.
* Expanded Dialing Directory:
Remembers last on date, number of times on.
Supports individual dialing string, password,
default protocol.
* Expanded Host Mode:
Shell to DOS, assign user id-passwords, access
levels, time limits, monitor interaction,
operate in dialback mode.
* Easy Screen Editing:
Highlight screen text with your mouse, then
copy to clipboard, send to host, erase, scroll
or mark as a file.
* Convenient Screen Toolbar:
Provides easy access to common menu picks and
terminal operating modes.
* Font Manager Compatibility:
All types of fonts and sizes can be used.
Improved mapping for proportional fonts.
* Online Help:
Context sensitive "Windows" help is now
provided for all program procedures and script
commands.
* Xmodem senses download filename:
UNICOM will obtain the download filename from
the scroll buffer automatically when downloading
files using this protocol.
* Iconic transfer reports:
File transfer progress is reported to the icon
label when transferring files while minimized.
* Translation Tables
Incoming and Outgoing characters are easily
translated with this new feature.
& Packing List
-------- Sharware Distribution -----------
UNICOM 3.0g is distributed in 2 zip files
UC3g-1.zip Complete distribution w/o help
UC3g-2.zip UNICOM Help (UNICOM.HLP)
(help has not changed since 3.0c)
when you unzip these files, it should
contain the same files as below:
-------- On disk from Data Graphics ------
UNICOM EXE - UNICOM executable program
UNICOM FON - fonts for vt100 and BBS
UNICOM KEY - example keyboard macro file
UNICOM SND - default music file
UNICOM CFG - example program configuration
UNICOM DIR - example dialing directory
UNICOM XLT - example translation table
UNICOM HLP - UNICOM Windows Help
UNICOM MNU - example Utility menu
UC3ORDER WRI - order form in write format
UC3ORDER TXT - order from in text format
UC3READ ME - UNICOM 3 release notes
PLAYNOTE SCR - Example Script Files
BITBLT SCR ""
GDI SCR ""
LINES SCR ""
SETPIXEL SCR ""
MODEMREG SCR ""
COMPUSRV SCR ""
MCI SCR ""
UNICOM MNU ""
ELLIPSE SCR ""
RBBS SCR ""
OPUS SCR ""
PCBOARD SCR ""
WILDCAT SCR ""
SRCHLITE SCR ""
REMOTACC SCR ""
& Upgrading from a previous Unicom release
Upgrading to a new minor release does not
require that you re-enter your license
information.
1) MAKE A BACKUP COPY of all your Unicom
files on a floppy diskette.
2) Unpack the new distribution into a
temporary directory or a floppy.
Omit this step if you received a
3.5 diskette from Data Graphics.
3) Copy the new UNICOM.EXE file over
your old unicom.exe file.
That's all there is to upgrading to
new minor versions.
For major updates, a new license may be
required. Keep a backup copy of your
existing version.
& HOW TO ORDER UNICOM
TO REGISTER QUICKLY: order by phone!
To get registered immediately, just
call (206)432-1201 anytime between 9am and
5pm Pacific time weekdays. Have your Visa or
MasterCard Ready. You will be issued a
registration number over the phone.
BY FAX: send your completed order form to
Data Graphics fax at (206)432-8673 (24hrs)
BY MAIL: Enclose payment and mail to:
Data Graphics
P.O. Box 58517
Renton,WA 98058
U.S.A.
SITE LICENSING (prices as of 7/92)
Units Discount
1-10 None
11-20 10%
20-49 20%
50-99 30%
100+ 40%
For other quantity arrangements, please call.
& More Questions and Answers
Question:
I access the Dos shell from host mode. When typing
exit, the window stays up on the screen and I am
unable to call back in.
Answer:
Use the PIF editor to create a COMMAND.PIF file.
Select close window on exit when creating this pif.
Question: In Host Mode, Unicom will not recognize
the userid entered during remote login.
Answer:
The username must be 1 word with
no spaces between characters.
Use the host setup window to assign
one word usernames.
Question: Is Unicom 3.x compatible with Windows
version 3.1?.
Answer: Yes, there are no known incompatibilites.
Question: My modem does not remember its
configuration across Unicom sessions.
Answer: Make sure you set the connection type
(see the Comm port setup window) to a
Modem connection. Then save your setup.
Unicom will send the init string as
designated in the modem setup window at
the start of each session.
Question: I can't get Zmodem resume to work
after an aborted Zmodem transfer.
Answer: To resume an aborted Zmodem transfer,
disable automatic Zmodem downloading from
the General Setup Window. After that,
download manually using the Zmodem
resume option.
& UNICOM 3.0g Release Notes
NEW UNICOM WIN.INI OPTIONS
NOITALICS - disable display of italics (blink).
To enable this option, add the following to
your win.ini under the [UNICOM] section:
NOITALICS=TRUE
BACKGROUNDCOLORS - causes dim colors to be
displayed in response to ansi background color
commands.
To enable this option, add the following to
your win.in under the [UNICOM] section:
BACKGROUNDCOLORS=TRUE
0) Uploading Problem at High Speeds
Uploading may become unrealible when using speeds
above 9600 baud.
To solve the problem, configure your modem and
Unicom for hardware handshaking. On a HST or
similar modem, use the &H1&R0 command. Then set
Unicom to hardware handshake in the Comm Port
setup window.
1) The VT102 special fonts may not be available when
using herc monochrome video mode -OR- if UNICOM
cannot reference a configuration file at
startup.
2) Communications may become unreliable above 9600 baud.
Try to avoid starting and stopping other applications
during file transfers as this may induce interrupt
latency while running windows. In other words,
Windows may become too busy to service the communication
port and lose data even with a 16550 uart.
3) Screen Savers do not work well with UNICOM when they
kick in. The truth is, screen savers assume that
they are the only application using your computer if
no keyboard or mouse input are detected for a given
time. To perform the spectacular effects, the
screen saver will eat up much of your computing power.
If a Unicom file transfer is in progress when the
screen saver kicks in, performance can degrade or
worse, data could be lost. IT IS STRONGLY SUGGESTED
that you set the screen saver idle detection time to
a time greater than the expected file transfer time.
4) Dialing directory file sizes cannot exceed 64k.
If UNICOM complains of low memory when loading
a directory, break up the directory into
smaller directory files.
5) Interrupt driven receive queue size is
24k if using standard or enhanced mode and
12k if running in real mode. The queue size
was reduced for real mode due to memory
restrictions. The Send queue size is 4k.
These override any system.ini setting.
6) Script Commands
FileLength: The example for this command is incorrectly
listed in the manual: lSize = FileSize("messages.dat")
It should read: lSize = FileLength("messages.dat");
This appears correct in the online help.
StrIsHex: is described incorrectly in the manual.
It incorrectly states that chars A-Z or a-z are
valid hex characters. It should read 'A'-'F' and
'a'-'f' in addition to 0-9.
7) Fonts
Type managers let you add many fonts to Windows.
UNICOM 3.0c,d & e can now handle more than 38 fonts
and any size of each. Unicom 3.0 versions prior to 3.0c
were limited to the 1st 38.
8) Host Mode - Shell To DOS
Your computer must be operating in 386 enhanced mode
to support this feature.
IMPORTANT
Make sure the communication port device contention
is set to "Never Warn" in the 386 enhanced
section of the control panel. If this is not
done, a message box will be displayed to the
host computer screen anytime the remote user
shells to DOS. This will lock the host unless
someone is available to reply to the message
box.
ALSO include a MODE command in you autoexec.bat
file to set your com port baud rate.
MODE COMx:baud,parity,bits,stop
Example: MODE COM2:9600,N,8,1
REMEMBER TO USE A SINGLE WORD USERNAME & PASSWORD
when setting up users for remote access using the
host setup screen.
USERNAME: JIM SMITH <----- WRONG
PASSWORD: HI THERE <----- WRONG
USERNAME: ECHOTRAIL <----- RIGHT!
PASSWORD: HEATER <----- RIGHT!
9) Bold Character Attribute Disable
Some users found that bold fonts were not pleasing
to the eye. You can now instruct UNICOM to
ignore the bold attribute by adding the following
option to the UNICOM section of your WIN.INI file:
NOBOLD=TRUE
10) Color Mapper
Unicom provides a color mapper setup window (after 3.0b)
that allows you to change how Unicom maps color codes
sent by your remote host. So if you do not like
a particular color, just activate the Color Mapper
window from the setup window and change the color
to your preference.
The terminal foreground and background colors as
selected in the Terminal Setup Window will be
translated according to your Color Mapper settings.
That is, if you map white to blue and select white
in the terminal setup window (foreground or background),
you will see blue on the screen.
& Microsoft Adds 16650 Support to Windows
Microsoft has added 16550 support to their serial
communication driver (comm.drv) provided with
Windows 3.1. The 16550 uart can buffer up to 16 bytes
of data which can reduce CPU overhead and increase
operational reliability.
The only remaining concern with the new driver is that
the FIFO trigger level is set at 14. That means
incoming data can still be lost due to interrupt
latency. (This buffer could overflow by the time the
CPU is free from doing other tasks in Windows).
Setting the FIFO to a lower trigger level
should give the CPU a better chance at servicing
interrupts.
This functionality as described above was the only
real gain offered by makers of 3rd party comm drivers.
Therefore, I NO LONGER RECOMMEND that you use or
purchase 3rd party comm drivers to replace the
comm driver provided with Windows 3.1 or above.
& Character Translation Tables
UNICOM supports character translation for incoming
and outgoing characters. When you save your setup
with the Save Setup menu pick, UNICOM writes the
contents of the current translation tables to the
file UNICOM.XLT.
Upon each program start, UNICOM looks for this file
(UNICOM.XLT). If found, its contents are loaded into
memory.
& Host User database
The file hostuser.dat contains user information for
those authorized to access your machine via host mode.
This file may be changed or altered by remote users
with the appropriate access level. You may wish to
make this file read only and/or hidden with the dos
attrib command. Hostuser.dat is updated when you
select save setup from the setup menu.
& Where to Find the latest UNICOM
UNICOM may be found on CompuServe in the
following forums: ZENITH, WINADV, IBMCOM, MSOPSYS
Browse the forum shareware or new uploads library
using the keyword "UNICOM".