HAM Radio 1/HamRadio.cdr/misc/goldtd/goldtd.doc

Text File | 1991-01-16 | 19KB | 400 lines

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    **         Packet GOLD 1.21 -- Release Date    1/15/91               **
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                       NOTE: TO TEST DRIVE USERS:

(* This is one of the README files on the Packet-GOLD distribution disk.
   It's here so you can review some of the changes to our program over the
   past few revisions *)

Note:  You must install this disk. Put it into the A: or B: drive and type

             INSTALL

       The install program will use some of the information from your
       configuration files, quick connects, names file, and other files
       to retain as much of your setup as possible.  This makes the change
       to PktGOLD as painless as possible.  This only applies if you are
       upgrading from an earlier version of PLUS or GOLD.  Otherwise,
       simply follow the instructions on the screen and in the manual.


Starting the program:

                    PUT THE BATTERIES IN YOUR TNC

       There are a few more DOC files in the self-extracting file
       DOCFILES.COM. The Quikref.doc file contains useful information,
       including hints and steps that you can follow to get the program
       going.  The manual also contains step-by-step instructions to
       start the program.

       For most users, once the program has been installed, all that
       is required is to type PKTGOLD [Enter] and the program will
       start.  If the TBAUD rate is different than what is currently
       set in the TNC, the first time startup may take some time.
       Once the TBAUD rate is set in the TNC, future startups will
       go much faster.

       (NOTE: GOLDTD users: Type PKTDEMO instead of PKTGOLD. You will
       have to answer the COMPORT and BAUD rate questions each time
       you run the demo.  Also, program settings are NOT saved between
       runs, and the quick connects and other files are reset each
       time you run the program.  We hope this allows you to see what
       the program can do, and encourage you to join the growing list
       of Packet-GOLD users.)


January, GOLD 1.21 modifications:

o  When in conference mode, a connected station that disconnects might
   pop you back to the Network View screen. This no longer can happen
   until the last station in the conference disconnects. Nothing
   serious happened, it was just a surprise to find yourself looking
   at the Network View screen, and you had to use [F4] (next) to
   put you back into the conference session.

o  In non-packet modes, text that has been buffered into the TNC
   is displayed in the top "split screen" area, indicating that it
   has been released to the TNC for transmission. If not transmitting,
   you may edit the text entry line. If transmitting, and the word
   has been released to the TNC for transmission, you can no longer
   edit that word and the cursor will not move back to a word already
   sent.

o  In AMTOR, to leave (disconnect) you should use "R" [F10], to send
   the "receive" command to the TNC. You may now use [Alt-F7] to
   initiate a "disconnect" or unlink.  [Alt-F7] also has provisions
   to "zap" the outgoing buffer, and to force a changeover causing
   your station to become the sending station.

o  When sending a text file in non-packet modes, the file was first
   sent to the session screen, and then echoed as sent to the screen
   providing a duplicate copy. Now, the file is echoed to the screen
   only when it is sent. This had no affect other than to save memory
   when sending a text file in non-packet modes (relevant for Pk232).

o  The SHUTDOWN.TNC file was not created by the previous installer.
   This file should have contained MONITOR 0, MCON 0, and CONMODE CONV
   as the 3 essential lines. Also, the CTEXT should have reflected
   the fact that your computer was off and turn the MAILDROP ON in
   case you turn it off on startup.

o  The installer now asks if you wish to install all of our new
   TNC files. It will overwrite the "stock" TNC files, Startup,
   Shutdown, and one for each mode if you have a PK-232. You can
   ask that it NOT install new files.

o  The installer now works on machines with only 400K free, and can
   install on to floppy disks. The previous install.exe program
   required a hard disk or 1.2meg, or 720K disk.

o  The program no longer "grabs" the mouse. When switching to Turbo
   Pascal 6.0, and using new library routines, the mouse handler was
   installed (Packet-GOLD does not support the mouse) and it "stole"
   control from Desqview. This was reported by W6KMK, but nobody
   else noticed (or reported it).

o  TNC file editor creates the TNC extension automatically. This was
   a problem if you forgot to save a file as xxxx.TNC.

o  When requesting a file, such as using ^K^R to "Read" a file into
   the Clipboard editor, you can specify a filename (and path) directly
   or use wildcards to create a filtered "pick list."  Other places
   requesting a filename have been similarly streamlined.


New Features for version 1.2, released November 1, 1990:

o  Conference Mode

   To setup a conference, you must have two or more connects active.
   Go to any connect screen (using F4 key). Now, use [Alt-F1] to
   give you a list of callsigns.

   Identify a callsign that you wish to ADD to the current connect
   screen. Depress the [Ins] key associated with that callsign. The
   [Ins] key is a toggle, and will show a "check mark" next to callsigns
   that will be included in the conference.

   To create the conference, hit [Enter].  Use [Esc] to cancel changes
   to the conference.

   The Screen will "blink" as it creates the conference, and the text
   is moved to the previous connects.  The conference is essentially
   a "new connect" thus old text data is sent to the previous connects
   screen.

   To remove a station from conference, go to the conference screen,
   hit [Alt-F1] and use the [Ins] key to toggle the "check mark"
   removing it from the station you wish to remove.

o  During a conference, use Alt-V to indicate status information
   about the conference mode, such as frames pending, and retries.
   Remember to use ALT-N to add a name to each member BEFORE adding
   them to a conference (if you haven't done that already).

o  Special treatment of "bel" char (control-g).  In the setup menu
   under "other" category, you have the option of recognizing control-g
   characters. Multiple "bel" chars can produce different sound effects
   if you choose that option, or simply a short beep for each bell.

o  Tabs are expanded. If a document comes in with tabs present, they
   will be expanded to the standard 8,16,24, etc size, that is, a
   tab every 8 character positions.

o  Alt-0 message can be setup to be a connect text message. You can
   use macro substitution, such as:

      "Hello ?name be with you in a minute if I'm here"

   Turn off your normal CTEXT (either manually, or set it to OFF on
   your startup.tnc file, and ON in the shutdown.tnc file) and let
   the program issue the first frame to new connecting stations.

o  You can issue the DISPLAY command now, with a parameter. Type
   DISPLAY [F10] to see more information on this command. You can
   edit the parameters in groups using this command. E.g. DISPLAY M
   to see Monitor Parameters.

o  EXECDOS command.  If you wish to run a DOS program, like Formatting
   a disk, or running Norton Commander, or Xtree, etc.  The
   command would be:  EXECDOS NC [F10] to run Norton Commander, for
   example.  Or to format a disk:  EXECDOS FORMAT A:/S [F10] to
   format a system  disk in the A: drive.

   You can also call a .BAT file using EXECDOS.  If an EXECDOS function
   call is included in a .TNC file, the program will call the program
   named and when it terminates, Packet GOLD will continue with the
   TNC commands.

o  Selective saving to disk. Using the [Alt-Y] command, you can turn
   "save session to disk" on and off for each individual callsign.
   Once set, that callsign will have text saved or not saved until
   you toggle the setting using [Alt-Y].  The [Alt-S] Setup/Logging
   feature sets the Default value of "save session to disk" and you
   can override this default using the new [Alt-Y] command.

o  Printing to Disk or a printer using [Control-PrtScr]. A small
   window will popup asking you a couple of questions. Note: If
   you start capturing a session to disk or to the printer using this
   function, and change to another connect and issue the keystroke
   again, printing will commence with the new session.

o  If you have any difficulties, please contact InterFlex Systems,
   [phone] or send a letter to tell us. It is helpful to know
   the error number, error address, and circumstances under which the
   error ocurred.  There may be some information at the end of each
   run that may be helpful. If the beta code you receive produces the
   statistics at the end of the run, that too may be helpful to us. If
   you see no special information at program termination,
   don't be concerned.


New Features 1.1:

o  Integrated Setup and parameter editor.

   Putility is gone. The functions of Putility are now incorporated into the
   program as an overlay function. Use Alt-S (for Setup) to get into the
   utility screen.  You can now add quick connects while still connected.
   Find out the path to some remote station, then pop into the setup area
   using Alt-S, add the quick connect, and Voila, you can call up that
   connect any time.

   If you need to change the baud rate, or some other parameter, and don't
   want to go through the resetting of your tnc, you can jump directly to
   the setup (like the old Putility) by issuing the command:

       pktgold /s

   Pktgold /? will produce a list of other command line options.


o  Adjustable Split screen with Zoom function

   You may now setup your Session (Connect) and Previous session screen
   with from 0 to 24 lines of monitored network frames.  Packet PLUS
   had the F2 monitor screen and Packet GOLD still has that.  The default
   is 4 lines, you'll see that when you run the program. If you don't want
   split screen you have two options:

   1.   Use the Alt-Z key (new) to Zoom in on the session screen. You may
        use this key combination to toggle between Zoom and split screen.

   2.   Use the Alt-S (new) to Setup your system. Get to the Setup menu
        and alter the Monitor settings. If you are using EGA or VGA, you
        can have 0 to 24 lines of network monitored frames on your session
        screen and up to 6 lines if you're using monochrome.

o  Function keys indicated on bottom line.

   You'll see some new info on the bottom line. It's a brief description of
   each of the Function keys. Hold down the Alt key by itself, and you'll see
   what the Alt-Fn keys do. Finally, try holding down the Ctrl key after you've
   connected to a few stations. It shows you which stream each connect is
   related to in your TNC. If you then hit the appropriate Fn key (still
   holding down the Ctrl key) the program will jump immediately to THAT
   session.

o  Binary filter, Alt-B.

   If you're monitoring, sending or receiving a binary file transfer, hit
   Alt-B to turn on and off a new binary filter.  You can still see the QSO
   text frames sent by the stations, but the frames containing binary "junk"
   will not show. You will see indication of the binary filter on the top
   banner screen. If the filter is active and screening out binary frames
   it says "Binary Filter Active."

o  Added editing of text entry line.

   You may now use the arrow keys, and the insert function to modify the text
   entry line. Also, you may retrieve a line previously erased with the Alt-X
   (cancel line) command. Hit Alt-R to Retrieve the last line appearing on the
   text entry area of the screen.  This is useful if you mistype a callsign
   when making a connect, just cancel the connect (Alt-F7) hit Alt-R (retrieve
   text) cursor over to the error, use the Insert and Delete keys to get your
   text right, then F7 to make the connect.

o  Effective Baud rate info.

   When you're doing a file transfer, you may get some useful information
   by hitting the F6 key. It tells you the total number of frames in the
   transfer, which frame you're sending/receiving, what percentage is done,
   and what the effective baud rate is (the most we've seen is about 980
   baud on a clear channel with very hot parameters).

o  Save session text by Station Callsign.

   If you've ever wanted to go back and reread some QSO you've had with
   a certain station, the only way was to save all of your previous QSO
   text to disk. If you've been chatting with some station over the past
   few days, chances are that the text is mixed in with lots of other
   session text. Now, with Packet GOLD, use the monitor settings to allow
   saving QSO text to disk. You will find that some new files will appear
   in a subdirectory named MONITOR all ending with TXT extension, but
   the file name is the callsign of the station you were talking with,
   or the mode if the QSO was done in a non-packet mode on a pk-232.

o  Brag file support

   Any file ending with .BRG and residing in the same directory as the
   Pktgold.exe file can be sent using a single function key, Alt-F6.

   You'll find a PktPLUS.BRG file in your directory as a sample. You can
   alter it to describe pktgold if you wish, after you learn to run the
   new program and know how it differs from the PLUS version.

o  Enhanced Clipboard editor

   The Text Operations (F5) have been improved. You can use the Find
   function (F9) to look for text, then turn on the Text Operation
   to highlight and grab text. Once in the clipboard, you can use the
   editor to alter it, and save it once edited, or add other files to
   the clipboard using Alt-R (read). Use the help function in the
   clipboard editor for more information.

o  Maildrop support Built-in.

   The Alt-F8 key now supports AEA maildrop directly. No need to switch to
   the direct terminal mode.  Also, the maildrop supports ALL of the new
   AEA maildrop commands, as of their June 1990 ROM. This includes their
   new Edit function which allows changing the TO, FROM, @BBS, and Forward
   flag. You can even jump to a previous connects scren while on the
   Maildrop screen, cut some text with F5, come back to the mail screen,
   and Paste it into a message. You can also scroll back to previous text
   in the maildrop area using the same keys you use on any other screen.

o  Abort startup

   If you wish to abort the startup sequence, you no longer have to wait
   for the program to determine that no TNC is hooked up, or that some other
   known problem exists. You may abort the initialization process by hitting
   the F10 key (it's shown on the initialization screen).

o  Added PK-232 Multimode support functions

   -  Signal Analysis key SIAM (Signal Analysis Mode)
   -  On screen indication of Baud rate, Normal/inverted, Wide/Narrow
   -  Baud up/down key, Wide/Narrow shift key
   -  Receive Normal/Inverted key

o  NEW NEW NEW as of August 1, 1990

   o   [ALT-L] Toggle: Removes your lines from a connect screen. Similar
       to Half/Full duplex, but this one saves all lines. If you want to
       see just what the other station sent you, hit [ALT-L] and all of
       your lines will disappear from view.  To see your lines again,
       hit [Alt-L] again. It's a toggle, so you can do what you wish.

   o   [ALT-0 through ALT-9] Macro Keys: Use the Alt-S (or PKTGOLD/S)
       function to enter the Setup menu. You will see an entry for Alt-n
       key editing. Select and edit each of the Alt-n lines to your needs.
       You can "invoke" these lines by using Alt-0 through Alt-9 keys,
       and the lines will be entered on your "text entry" line. You can
       use Alt-0, then if you change your mind, use Alt-X to erase the
       entry line, and try another Alt-n key.  You may use the same
       macro key-words in the Alt-n keys as in brag files as mentioned
       below.

   o   There are 5 macros you can put into your BRG files, they will
       substitute the other station operator's NAME that you put in with
       the [ALT-N] key, and his CALL (put in either automatically, or
       manually using [ALT-C] key), today's DATE and TIME. MYCALL puts
       your call sign in the text.

       Here is a sample "BUYGOLD.BRG" file:

       To:        ?name, ?call
       From:      ?mycall
       Date:      ?date   ?time
       Subject:   Where to inquire about Packet GOLD

       -----------

       If you want to get some info about the program I'm using
       you can call [phone], in California, or write to:

           InterFlex Systems Design
           Post Office Box 6418
           Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-6418

       So back to you ?name

       ?call de ?mycall

       kkk


   o   [F5] key: Improved editor.

       Now you hit [F5] and one of your choices is to edit a file.
       If you select that choice, you will be presented with a "pick
       list" screen. You can move to the top to change directories
       and drives, and navigate around until you find the file you
       want to edit.

       The editor allows you to merge other files, using ^K^R (block
       read) function to pick a text file (again using the pick list
       method).


o  Other functions and features added

   A number of other refinements have been made to the program that are not
   readily apparent, but are there just the same. You will find, for examle,
   that as you switch from session to session (not called connect anymore)
   what you've begun to type stays with the session screen. Also, the state
   of the Insert/Overwrite mode is saved, and is retained even with the
   [Alt-R] restore line keystroke.

We're pretty sure you'll like the new additions and enhancemenets to an
already great program. You can help out by telling people about Packet PLUS
and about Packet GOLD.  We've got an advertisement in 73 magaine, look for it.

Look at the file ORDER.DOC for information on how to get your own copy
of Packet-GOLD.