DP Tool Club 8/CDASC08.ISO/VRAC/ANS36A.ZIP/README!

Text File | 1993-06-16 | 12KB | 232 lines

File: README!
05/23/93

ShareWare/Registration/License
==============================


ANSWER.EXE is shareware.  This means you are authorized to try it on a
trial basis.  If you enjoy the program and continue to use it after a
period of 30 days, you must register it.  Please fill out the order form
provided in the file OFFER.TXT and send it with a check or money order.
At this time, Cygnus Data Systems is unable to accept credit card orders.
This software will discontinue to operate after 30 days of use.


Notes about this software
=========================

ANSWER.EXE was designed to be a telephone answering system which can
handle voice, fax, and data calls.  It is not intended to be run under a
multi-tasking environment like DesqView, Windows, etc.  It was designed
to be reliable and run in an unattended mode.

Due to the high data rates of the voice messages, this software will not
work on an XT computer.  It is not guarenteed to work on all systems, and
their configurations.  A 12 Mhz AT or faster computer is highly
recommended.

The documentation was originally written several revisions back and for
the DigiPhone.  Several things have changed in the software and many new
features have been added.  Also, support for additional voice and sound
cards have been and are being continually added.  Some of these changes
have not yet been incorporated into the documentation.  A major revision
of the documentation is planned.

I have a long list of features to add to the software.  An enhanced
version is planned which will support voice file conversions between
several different sound file formats, support for additional hardware,
revised script language for the Information Server Mode, and the list
goes on.  All comments, suggestions, and reports about this software are
welcomed and encouraged and should be addressed to the author.


Quick Start Installation
========================

This software package has been taylored for the ZyXEL U-1496 series
modems and has been distributed in two archives.  The first archive
contains the operating and documentation files, while the second archive
contains all pre-recorded voice messages.  The steps outlined below
describe the minimum required to get ANSWER.EXE up and running.  The
directory names may be of your choosing and are not hard coded into the
software.  You should ensure that you have enough hard disk space to hold
the required operating files (740 kbytes), and any message files you add
later, as well as incoming messages.  The operating files require 320
kbytes and the pre-recorded voice files require 420 kbytes.  Any voice
messages you add require 144 kbytes per minute.

All references to the "home" directory equate to the directory in which
ANSWER.EXE resides.  In the examples below, the indented commands shown
in capitol letters represent example commands which are entered at the
DOS prompt.

If you are configuring ANSWER.EXE for the ZyXEL or CompuCom modem, before
you run ANSWER.EXE, you should use your favorite terminal program to
ensure that your modem is operating correctly.  Note the COM port to
which it is attached.  If it is set to a non-standard COM port, you
should know the base address and irq it is using.

STEP 1.  Make a directory on your hard disk.  This directory will contain
the operating files for ANSWER.EXE which are contained in the first
archive of this package.  An example would be C:\ANSWER.  To do this,
make the hard disk the current disk, make the directory, and change to
that directory.  (Note:  Do not run ANSWER.EXE from a root directory -
not even on a RAM drive.  You should make a subdirectory and run it from
there).  For example:

    C:
    MD \ANSWER
    CD \ANSWER

STEP 2.  Extract ANS36E.ZIP into the directory in step 1.  All of these
files except for the *.txt, the *.doc, and this file are used during
normal operation of ANSWER.EXE.  For example:

    PKUNZIP -d ANS36E

STEP 3.  Make a directory for your message files.  This directory will
contain all of the voice message files which are REQUIRED for normal
operation of ANSWER.EXE (Incoming messages, and Outgoing messages may be
stored in other directories).  An example would be C:\ANSWER\BIN.  To do
this after following step one, simply make the directory.  For example:

    MD BIN
    CD BIN

STEP 4.  Extract ZYX_BIN.EXE into the directory in step 2.  Since this is
a self-extracting archive, you may simply execute it.  All of these files
are REQUIRED for normal operation of ANSWER.EXE.  This directory may be
located anywhere you choose, even on another drive.  You will specify
this directory name in the Options menu when you run the program.

    ZYX_BIN BIN
    CD \ANSWER

STEP 5.  Execute ANSWER.EXE.  When you run ANSWER.EXE for the first time,
it searches its home directory (the directory where ANSWER.EXE resides)
for the OPTIONS.DAT file.  If it does not exist, the software will enter
the Options menu directly.  This file contains configuration information
that you can change at the Options menu.  While in the Options menu, use
the arrow keys or the highlighted letter to select the option, the enter
key to select the option, and the escape key to back up one level.

    ANSWER

STEP 6.  Select Directory.  This is where you specify the directory
names.  All entries here default to the home directory.  When specifying
directory names, specify the full pathname to the directory.  If you do
not include a trailing back slash ('\'), the software will append one.

STEP 7.  Select Bin.  Enter the full pathname to the directory specified
in step 3.  This is an important step since this directory contains the
pre-recorded voice message files which ANSWER.EXE uses and expects to
find in this directory.  You may record your own voice messages to
replace these messages, but you must use the same names.  The file
BINFILES.TXT lists these files and explains the content of each of them.

STEP 8.  Press escape to return to the Options menu.  Select Hardware.
Here you will specify the specific hardware characteristics of your
system.

STEP 9.  Select Voice Card.  If you have a ZyXEL modem, then select
ZyXEL.  You will then see a list of COM ports with their respective base
address and irq assignments.  Select the port to which your modem is
attached.  After this, you will be returned to the Hardware menu.

STEP 10.  Choose other options as required.  The Mouse support is not
currently implemented.  The Zero Level not applicable to the ZyXEL modem.
The Timeout allows you to specify two timeout values.  The first
specifies the number of seconds to wait for a caller to press a touch
tone before prompting for it (the software will hang up after three
prompts and no response).  The second specifies the number of seconds
between dialing the number 4 while playing or recording voice files
locally with the telephone.  For further information on recording and
playing voice message locally, see the Voice Messages section of this
document.  The last option, Pause Length, is used to specify the number
of seconds of silence to wait during recording before ending the
recording.

STEP 11.  Press escape to return to the Options menu.  Here you will
notice three additional options not mentioned above - Colors, Messages,
and Tones.  Feel free to examine these options.  See ANSWER.TXT for
further information on these options.

STEP 12.  Press escape to return to the Main menu.  When you exit the
options menu by pressing escape, the software will attempt to communicate
with and initialize the modem.  If this is successful, the message "Voice
Card Working" will appear in the lower left status box.  Otherwise, the
message "Voice Card Error" will be displayed.  If the error message is
displayed, this indicates that the software was unable to communicate
with the modem, or the modem failed the identification test for the type
selected in the Options/Hardware/Voice Card menu.  If this happens, exit
ANSWER.EXE and enter your terminal program and verify that the modem is
operating.  Return to ANSWER.EXE and verify the Voice Card seletions.

STEP 13.  Select Messages/Outgoing/Record to record your outgoing
message.  This message will be the message played to the caller after
answering the phone in the Answer Mode.  An example would be "Hello, this
is Dan.  I'm unable to come to the phone right now, but I do want to
speek to you so please leave you name, number, and a message after the
tone and I will return your call as soon as I can.  Thanks for calling."
(please read the section on recording voice messages locally first).
When you're finished recording, return to the Main Menu by pressing
escape(s).

STEP 14.  Select Control/Answer Mode/OGM Number. Once you have recorded
your outgoing message, you can activate the message.  The numbers on the
left of the screen correspond to the OGMn.BIN outgoing message files
where n is a number from 1 to 16.  To activate a message, simply press
return on the highlighted selection.  You can also edit the times during
which this message should be active.  When you're finished editing,
return to the Main Menu by pressing escape(s).

STEP 15.  Select Activate/Answer Mode.  Your voice software is now up and
running and ready to answer incoming calls.  ANSWER.EXE will blank the
screen after 10 seconds of inactivity until a call is received or a key
is pressed.  Press escape to exit the Answer Mode.


Voice Messages
==============

Recording and playing voice messages locally

There are several methods of recording and playing messages locally.
The first and simplest method simply uses a normal telephone connected to
the same telephone line as the modem.  When selecting to record or play a
message, the software will command the modem to dial a 4, then ask you to
pick up the phone then press a keyboard key.  During recording or
playing, every 10 seconds, the modem will dial 4 again to keep the phone
line active.  This method has obvious limitations.

The second method is much more elegent but also has limitations.  This
method is described in section 5.4 of the ZFAX Utility Manual and
involves the use of the telephone handset.  A special cord is required
since most telephone handsets have a different size connector which plugs
into the base set of the telephone.  The connector required is the RJ11C
connector and is readily available at Radio Shack.  However, a special
tool is required to crimp this connector onto the phone cord.  Once you
have this setup, you can use the telephone handset to record and play
messages.  Plug this handset into the modem Line Jack and use the handset
earphone as both a microphone and a speaker (yes, the earphone is used to
listen and talk in this configuration).

CAUTION:  DO NOT PLUG THE HANDSET INTO THE PHONE JACK.  If you have the
telephone line plugged into the Line Jack, and the handset plugged into
the Phone Jack, then the handset will be connected directly to the
telephone line when the modem is on-hook.  This WILL cause damage to the
handset.

A third method is available to you if you have a SoundBlaster sound card.
A third party utility (ZYXELVOC) is avalable (posted on the ZyXEL Tech
Support BBS) to convert .VOC files to ZyXEL voice files.  If you have a
SoundBlaster in your system, and if the phone is on-hook when you select
to record or play messages, the software will auto-detect the
SoundBlaster and choose to use it to record and play messages.

A fourth method may be employed if you have a second telephone number and
line at your location.  Simply call the number which is connected to your
modem from the other telephone.  Select Phone/OffHook.  Then record and
play messages as usual.  Hang up both phones when done.