HAM Radio 3/hamradioversion3.0examsandprograms1992.iso/packet/ezpkt_16/readme.txt

Text File | 1992-06-05 | 4KB | 61 lines

 EzPacket is written for use with a Poor Man's Packet (PMP) modem.  The
 original PMP software was written by Andrew C. Payne.  I used that code as
 a model for this program.  More than 95% of EzPacket has been written from
 scratch.  Only a few small pieces of code remain nearly the same as Mr.
 Payne's code.  Those pieces perform the low-level bit I/O and they will be
 replaced in the next version.

 Two things I intend to implement soon are interrupt driven I/O (so the
 keyboard is even more responsive) and unattended KA-NODE emulation.  At the
 same time, I will remove the separate SSIDs for multiple sessions and make
 EzPacket handle multiple sessions with one SSID as commercial TNCs do.  I
 hope to have this all done by early fall of 1992.  In the mean time, I will
 try to get this version onto some of the larger HAM BBS services (dial-up)
 and let it migrate from there.  It will also be on a the PRECISION BBS at
 [phone].  The file will be named EZPKT_??.ZIP where ?? is the
 version number (i.e. 16).  (Note: I may decide to charge a small amount
 for the future versions that contain NODE functions - or I may not.)
 New versions of EzPacket will be placed on the PRECISION BBS as they become
 available.  The next one will probably not be available until sometime after
 Labor Day.  (Work and school are keeping me busy enough!)

 I've tried to make this new program more friendly than PMP.EXE and give it
 a lot of new features.  If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to write
 to me at my address in the latest Callbook. (As of 6/3/92, my address is
 236 W. Norman Lane, Wheeling, IL  60090.)  I can also be reached via
 messages to the above BBS's sysop.  (I prefer not to receive phone calls
 since there are a lot more of you than there are of me.  Thanks.)

 Getting started with EzPacket is very simple.  The first time it is run,
 it creates a configuration file (EZPACKET.CFG) that defaults nearly
 everything, assuming that it is to work with a PMP modem using LPT1.  When
 the configuration file is created, it automatically places you in the
 configuration screen so that you can enter your call sign.  DON'T FORGET
 TO DO THIS.  Everything else should work as-is.  If you wish to customize
 the configuration, it is done on-line and most of the screens are pretty
 self-explanatory.  Also, as with PMP.EXE, ALT-H from the main screen will
 give help on keys and running EzPacket with /? will give command-line
 options.  A detailed 20+ page user's manual is also available from me for
 only $5.00 (to cover laser-printing and postage costs).

 Also, you may be wondering what the included EZPACKET.ICO file is for.
 If you are a Microsoft Windows user, this is an icon you can configure
 Windows to use for EzPacket.  Please note, however, that EzPacket does NOT
 run correctly in a 386-enhanced mode window.  It must be run as a
 foreground task, full-screen, to allow it to do critical I/O timings.

 I hope you enjoy the program and find it usefull.


                                     Frank Domina (N9MXI)

 ****************************************************************************

 HISTORY: Version 1.5 has a minor bug that has been fixed in version 1.6.
          The bug was that the configured TX_PORT, TX_BIT, RX_PORT and
          RX_BIT were not being used.  Some older debugging code that had
          them hard-coded to the defaults was accidentally left in.  This
          caused a problem when trying to use a serial port to communicate
          with a Baycom modem.  Sorry 'bout that.