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A U T O S I G
Version 5.6
January, 1988 Manual Revision
A Communications Program for
Accessing CompuServe
This manual describes the advanced functions for
PPN, script, and Accounting Log Summary components
of AUTOSIG.
AUTOSIG Version 5.6 - January 1988
(c) Copyright 1985-88 by Vernon D. Buerg
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
__________________________________________________________________________
Introduction ......................................................... 1
I. ATOPPN - ATO Address Book ....................................... 2
ATOPPN Menu .................................................... 3
Address Book Commands ........................................... 4
A Add manual entry ............................................ 4
B Switch PPN database file .................................... 4
C Change current entry ........................................ 4
D Delete current entry ........................................ 4
E Erase PPN file .............................................. 4
F Find name or userid ......................................... 4
M Switch message file ......................................... 5
L sort by Last name ........................................... 5
N sort by Name ................................................ 5
P Put entry to TO: field ...................................... 5
R Repeat Find to next ......................................... 5
S Sort by userid/ppn .......................................... 5
U Update file from msgs ....................................... 6
Q Quit, return to ATO ......................................... 6
II. ATOSCR - Script File Processing ................................. 7
Statement syntax ................................................ 8
Summary of Verbs ................................................ 13
Examples ........................................................ 14
Example 1. ..................................................... 14
Example 2. ..................................................... 14
Example 3. ..................................................... 15
Example 4. ..................................................... 15
Example 5. ..................................................... 16
Example 6. ..................................................... 16
Example 7. ..................................................... 17
Example 8. ..................................................... 18
Global symbols .................................................. 19
%HOST variables ................................................ 19
%SIG variables ................................................. 19
%PC variables .................................................. 20
Other global variables ......................................... 20
III. ACLS - Accounting Log Summary ................................... 21
Log Files ....................................................... 21
Running ACLS .................................................... 22
Figure 11. ACLS Accounting Summary ............................. 23
Figure 12. RATES.ATO sample data ............................... 23
Figure 13. ACLS Rates and Definitions .......................... 23
Figure 14. ACLS Sample Output .................................. 24
Appendices .......................................................... 25
Disclaimer ..................................................... 25
Copying and sharing AUTOSIG. ................................... 25
Using Virtual Disks ............................................. 26
Contents 1 AUTOSIG Advanced Functions Guide
Introduction
______________________________________________________________________________
AUTOSIG is a program written specifically for CompuServe Special
Interest Group access. It provides an automatic way of processing SIG
messages that is quick and economical.
AUTOSIG is a FREE communications program written with Quick Basic and
assembly language. It is provided as a executable (.EXE) program for
the IBM PC. It is fully compatible with Compaq computers, the Tandy 1000
and 1200, and most other clones. In addition to its main purpose of
offloading messages, it is a terminal program which can be used to
access other areas of CompuServe and download from the Data Libraries
using "B" protocol.
This manual discusses three advanced features of AUTOSIG:
1 - the PPN database processor for keeping an address book
2 - the script processor used to execute a stored series of ATO commands
3 - the ACLS accounting log summary report program
AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 1
I. ATOPPN - ATO Address Book
______________________________________________________________________________
ATOPPN allows you to maintain your own local address book of up to 1000
user names and IDs. Using ATOPPN makes finding people's names and ID
numbers easy.
ATOPPN is one of those features that's much easier to use than it is to
explain, so here's a short summary of functions. After getting the
"flavor" of ATOPPN your best bet is to go for it.
ATOPPN is invoked by using the alt-M command at the Main Menu, at a
R>ead prompt, or at the To: prompt when W>riting messages.
The display consists of a command menu and a list of user IDs and names.
You may enter a letter to invoke a function, or press a cursor
positioning key to scroll the display of user IDs and names. The cursor
positioning keys are:
HOME - position to the first PPN entry
END - position to the last PPN entry
down arrow - position to the next entry
up arrow - position to the previous entry
PgUp - move back 20 entries
PgDn - move ahead 20 entries
The "current" entry is shown in two places: on the left side above the
command menu, and highighted in the list of PPNs. This is the entry
that is the subject of any Change or Delete commands, and of the Paste
command.
You may exit the program by using the Q command to save changes and
quit, or the ESCape command to not save any changes and abort.
The display gives you the name of the PPN file and of a file which
contains downloaded CompuServe messages. You may change the PPN file
name with the B command, or the message file name with the X command.
The PPN file contains ASCII records, one for each user ID. Each record
ends with a carriage return (CR) and line feed (LF). The user ID begins
in column 1 and ends in column 10. The name begins in column 12 and may
be up to 24 characters long.
The ATOPPN menu appears as follows:
Page 2 AUTOSIG User's Manual
I. ATOPPN - ATO Address Book
______________________________________________________________________________
ATOPPN Menu
+--------------------------+ +--------------------------+
| AUTOSIG PPN Database | 0 | AUTOSIG.PPN |
+------------------------------------+ +--------------------------------------+
| A - Add a manual entry | | |
| B - switch PPN database file | | |
| C - Change current entry | | |
| D - Delete current entry | | |
| E - Erase PPN file | | |
| F - Find name or userid | | |
| M - switch Message file | | |
| L - sort by Last name | | |
| N - sort by Name | | |
| P - Put entry in TO: field | | |
| R - Repeat Find to next | | |
| S - Sort by userid/ppn | | |
| U - Update file from msgs | | |
| Q - Quit, return to ATO | | |
+------------------------------------+ | |
_ Select a letter | |
| |
| |
Msg file: IBMCOMM.ATO | |
| |
+--------------------------------------+
Use ESCape to abort, no updates Use cursor keys to scroll display 0
AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 3
I. ATOPPN - ATO Address Book
______________________________________________________________________________
Address Book Commands
A Add manual entry
You are asked to enter a new user ID (PPN) and name. The user ID must
be two numbers separated by a comma. The name may be up to 24
characters long. Follow the CIS convention. The new entry is added to
the end of the file. For example, you could enter
Their name first 70000,0000
B Switch PPN database file
You are asked to enter the name of the PPN file you want displayed. You
may include a drive and/or path name. For example, C:\ATO\IBMCOM.PPN is
acceptable.
C Change current entry
You are prompted to supply new name information for the current entry.
You can not change the PPN number.
D Delete current entry
The highlighted current entry is deleted. The next entry becomes the
new current entry.
E Erase PPN file
You are prompted to verify that you want to delete the PPN file, and may
reply with Y to delete the file, or N to keep the file.
F Find name or userid
You are prompted for a text string. ATOPPN searches the PPN file for
that text. The search is case insensitive. If the text is found in an
entry, that entry is made the current entry.
Page 4 AUTOSIG User's Manual
I. ATOPPN - ATO Address Book
______________________________________________________________________________
Address Book Commands
M Switch message file
You are prompted for a file name that represents a file of downloaded
CIS messages. You may include a drive and/or path name. For example,
C:\ATO\IBMCOMM.ATO is acceptable.
L sort by Last name
The PPN file is sorted by ascending order of user last names. Middle
initials are ignored but title, like [SuperForum] may obscure the sort.
N sort by Name
The PPN file is sorted by user name in ascending order. The sort is
case insensitive. That is, the names "bill" and "BILL" are treated as
the same name.
P Put entry to TO: field
The user name and ID are returned to the calling program. For AUTOSIG,
this information is copied to the "To:" field in the message editor.
Otherwise, the information is displayed on the console. For EMAIL
messages, only the ID (ppn) is copied.
R Repeat Find to next
Used after a successful Find command, the R command searches for the
next occurrance of the text in the PPN file.
S Sort by userid/ppn
The PPN file is sorted by user ID (PPN) in ascending order.
AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 5
I. ATOPPN - ATO Address Book
______________________________________________________________________________
Address Book Commands
U Update file from msgs
ATOPPN scans the CIS message file for message headers. It then extracts
the user names and IDs from the "Fm:" line. When a new userid is
encountered, you are given the prompt:
Add 7xxxx,xxxx new user
Y>es, n>o, s>top asking, q>quit?
Respond with a Y to add the new userid, an N to bypass , an S to add the
userid and stop asking each time a new userid is encountered, or with a
Q to stop processing the message file.
Q Quit, return to ATO
You are returned to ATO, and if any changes were made the PPN file is
re-written.
ESC Abort, return to ATO without updating
You are returned to ATO and no updates are processed. The PPN file
remains unchanged.
Page 6 AUTOSIG User's Manual
II. ATOSCR - Script File Processing
______________________________________________________________________________
ATO can execute commands from a script file. Scripts are a series of
user coded statements contained within a file. You execute a script by
issuing the alt-T command while in Terminal Mode. Or, you may specify a
special logon script in each Host entry. Or, you may supply the name of
the script on the command line for starting ATO using the /X parameter.
For example:
AUTOSIG /Xdostuff.scr
A script ends when the last statement has been processed, you press the
ESCape key, or if an error is detected. The current limit is 1000 lines
in a script file.
You may also enter one script command at the terminal by using the alt-I
keys.
Script statements have the following syntax:
verb [operand1 operand2 ... operandn]
You must separate the verb and operands by one or more blanks. For
example:
UPL funtim.arc /type:ascii/prot:b|c:\save\funtime.arc
Operands consist of one or more symbol names, and/or literal data.
Symbols are either global system variables, or user defined variables.
The names may be of any length and may contain any characters except a
space or a single quote. Global names are listed below. User names can
be any name except that of a global varable. Literal data is a string
of characters enclosed within single quotes. Quotes are not required
unless the literal string contains the name of a symbol, a space, or a
comma.
For example, %HOSTsymbol is a global variable, %XZ may be a user
variable, and 'hello there' is literal text data.
If the operand is [data], you may supply a list of symbol names and/or
literal values. They are combined into one value.
While scripts are being processed, COM data may be received. The COM
data is not processed until a READ, WAIT of MATCH verb is executed. The
last line of COM data is available in the global variable called %COM.
AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 7
II. ATOSCR - Script File Processing
______________________________________________________________________________
Statement syntax
Verb: * [comment]
Function: Provide user comments or remarks Usage: The statement is ignored.
Verb: label: [statements]
Function: Name a statment for branching purposes.
Usage: Performs the same function as the LABEL verb.
Verb: ACCEPT symbol
Function: Read data from the console into a variable.
Usage: If 'symbol' is not currently defined, it becomes defined.
Unless otherwise noted, global symbols may not be modified.
Verb: BEEP
Function: Sound the computer's horn. The ATO beep toggle status is
not used.
Verb: CAPTURE [OFF|ON|filename]
Function: Open or close a capture file.
Usage: To open a capture file, specify a file name the first time.
After closing the capture file, you may re-open it with the
same file name by specifying ON. All received data, except for
protocol file transfer data, is written to the end of the capture
file. For example,
CAPTURE FORUM.LOG
... do some stuff ...
CAPTURE OFF
... do some more stuff ...
CAPTURE ON
... writing to FORUM.LOG again ...
Verb: CLOSE filenumber
Function: Disconnect access to the file associated with filenumber.
Verb: CLS
Function: Clear the screen.
Verb: DISPLAY [data]
Function: Writes data to the current display monitor.
Usage: The 'data' value may be a list of symbol names, and/or literal
strings.
Page 8 AUTOSIG User's Manual
II. ATOSCR - Script File Processing
______________________________________________________________________________
Statement syntax
Verb: DOW filename
Function: Invokes CIS-QB protocol to download the specified file. The
file is placed in the drive\path defined by the Host entry.
Verb: ELSE [statement]
Function: Process [statement] only when the IF condition is false.
Verb: EXIT [code]
Function: Terminate processing of the current script file, and
if supplied, perform the 'code' function. The code may be
any single character that is acceptable at the main ATO menu
prompt, such as Z to logoff, 1 to run AUTO /1, etc.
Verb: GOTO label
Function: Transfer script processing to the LABEL statement with the
identity of 'label'.
Verb: IF var1 var2 [statement]
Function: Set the condition code based on contents of 'var1' and 'var2'
Usage: The condition is set to TRUE if 'var2' occurs within the
'var1' variable, not if they are exactly equal. You can use the
global and local symbols as var1 and/or var2. For example, you
can use %COM to determine if some data occurs in the communications
buffer, e.g. IF %COM 'NO CARRIER' THEN DISPLAY 'Gone fishing!'.
The optional [statement] is executed when the condition is true.
Both 'var1' and 'var2' are required. The special %EOF variables
have either a null value or the value 'EOF'.
Verb: LABEL labelname
Function: Identify a statement for branching purposes.
Usage: There is no checking for duplicate labels. The first occurance
of the label name is used by script verbs, e.g. GOTO. Labels can
also be entered in the form "label:", where the colon after
the label name identifies the script statement for use by GOTO.
For example:
LABEL LOOP
Display "Hello"
-or-
LOOP: Display "Hello"
AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 9
II. ATOSCR - Script File Processing
______________________________________________________________________________
Statement syntax
Verb: LOGON
Function: If necessary, sends dialing commands to the modem, and
connects to the selected Host; it then issues a Go Page
to the selected Forum. If ATO is already online and in
the selected Forum, no action is taken.
Verb: LOGOFF -or- OFF
Function: Performs the Z (logoff) function by sending an OFF to CIS
and then hanging up the phone.
Verb: MATCH data
Function: Causes processing to stop until the 'data' is received
from the communications line. The 'data' can be a simple
literal text string, or a combination of literal and
symbolic values. You can interrupt MATCH by pressing the
ESCape key. You can not include ^J or ^M in the MATCH text.
MATCH is different from WAIT in that the MATCH [data] is
expanded (resolved) for any user symbols.
Verb: OPEN filename filenumber mode
Function: Initialize access to a file for READ and WRITE use. The
filename may include drive and space. The filenumber must
be value from 0 through 9, determined by you. The 'mode'
must be INPUT, OUTPUT or APPEND.
Verb: PAUSE [number]
Function: Suspend processing for 'number' of seconds.
Usage: If the 'number' is omitted, a one second pause results.
Verb: READ [filenumber] [symbol]
Function: Get data from the specified file and place it into the local
symbol. If [filenumber] is omitted, the communications buffer
is assumed. If [symbol] is omitted, %COM is assumed.
Verb: SEND [data]
Function: Write data to the COM port
Usage: The data may be a list of symbol names and literal strings.
All data fields are combined into one string and sent to the
COM port. Control characters may be entered by using the carat
symbol (^) followed by a control character letter. For example,
a ^M will result in a carriage return (CR) being sent. A pause
may be embedded in any data string by entering a squiggle (~)
character.
Page 10 AUTOSIG User's Manual
II. ATOSCR - Script File Processing
______________________________________________________________________________
Statement syntax
Verb: SENDLINE [data]
Function: Write a line of data to the COM port.
Usage: Similar to SEND except that a carriage return ^M is appended
to the [data].
Verb: SET symbol data
Function: Assign a value to a symbol.
Usage: Unless noted below, values can not be assigned to global
symbols. User symbols become defined when they are referenced
by a SET statement. The 'data' may be a list of symbol names
and/or literal data. For example,
SET x 'hello'
SET y x
results in the symbol y having the value 'hello'.
Verb: THEN [statement]
Function: Process [statement] only when the IF condition is true.
Verb: TRACE [ON|OFF]
Function: Enable or disable tracing of the script statements. If TRACE
is ON, all script statements are displayed before they are
executed.
Verb: UPL cisfilename[|yourfilename]
Function: Invokes CIS-QB protocol to upload the specified file. You may
include drive\path with the file name. Since CIS allows only
six characters in the filename, you may supply both the CIS
file name and your computer's file name. Separate the CIS and
your filename with a | character, for example:
UPL MYPROG.ARC /prot:b/type:bin| C:\TESTBED\NEWVERSN.ARC
When you supply both names, using the | character, you must
also supply the /prot: and /type: parameters for CIS. You can
take advantage of this syntax to upload ASCII files, since the
default type for uploads is BINary.
Verb: WAIT [text]
Function: Suspend processing until the data is received from the COM
communications line.
Usage: Checking is performed for lost carrier and the modem return
messages for NO CARRIER, etc. If a disconnect if detected,
the script is terminated. Execution of the script resumes when
the [data] is received by the communications line. Unlike MATCH,
there is no expansion of symbols. The [text] is used as-is.
AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 11
II. ATOSCR - Script File Processing
______________________________________________________________________________
Statement syntax
Verb: WRITE [filenumber] [symbol]
Function: Place the data contained in the [symbol] local variable into
the file associated with [filenumber].
Page 12 AUTOSIG User's Manual
II. ATOSCR - Script File Processing
______________________________________________________________________________
Summary of Verbs
Notation:
[] brackets identify optional parameters
| indicates an exclusive choice
data means a string of literal and/or symbol values
text means a string of literal values
* [comment]
label: [statements]
ACCEPT symbol
BEEP
CAPTURE [ON|OFF|filename]
CLOSE filenumber
CLS
DISPLAY [data]
DOW filename
ELSE [statement]
EXIT [code]
GOTO labelname
IF var1 var2 [statement]
LABEL labelname
LOGOFF
LOGON [host forum]|[forum]
MATCH data
OFF
OPEN filename filenumber mode
PAUSE [number]
READ [filenumber] [symbol]
SEND [data]
SENDLINE [data]
SET symbol data
THEN [statement]
TRACE [ON|OFF]
UPL cisfilename[options|yourfilename]
WAIT text
WRITE filenumber symbol
AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 13
II. ATOSCR - Script File Processing
______________________________________________________________________________
Examples
Example 1.
Demonstrate the use of IF, THEN, and ELSE
sendline
label again
read
if %COM 'Function:' then goto ready
else display 'not yet'
goto again
label ready
beep
display 'What time is it?'
accept tod
exit
The 'IF' verb does not require a statement. You can place any valid
statment after the IF, and/or can use the THEN and ELSE verbs later.
The IF condition remains valid until the next IF is executed. IF does
require at least two parameters; the 'var1' and var2' values.
Example 2.
Demonstrate the use of SEND, WAIT, and literal strings.
trace on
Send 'go ' ibmcom^M
Wait Function:
Send 'ust^M'
label loop
If 'Function:' Goto Ready
Read
Goto loop
label ready
display 'Ready to proceed...'
beep
Page 14 AUTOSIG User's Manual
II. ATOSCR - Script File Processing
______________________________________________________________________________
Examples
Example 3.
Demonstrate use of global variables
* Use the current HOST and SIG selections to log on
send ATDT %HOSTPHONE ^M
match CONNECT
pause 4
send '^C'
match User ID:
display '{' %COM '}'
send %HOSTUSERID ^M
if %hostuserid '\' then goto have.pswd
match Password:
send %HOSTPASSWORD '^M'
label have.pswd
match OK
send 'GO ' %SIGPAGE
match 'Function:'
set savecolor %PCNORMAL
set %PCNORMAL '15,2'
display 'The current high message number is:' %SIGHMN
set %PCNORMAL savecolor
beep
display 'Ready when you are ...'
Example 4.
Logon via Tymnet
* wait for 300 baud terminal id request
pause 3
* use tty terminal id
send a
* wait for "please log in:" prompt
match in:
* make sure we have a user id
if %HOSTACCOUNT '' set %HOSTACCOUNT 'CIS02'
sendline %HOSTACCOUNT
* we made it!
*
display 'Logon to TYMNET successful'
beep
* ATO continues the logon from the User ID: prompt
exit
AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 15
II. ATOSCR - Script File Processing
______________________________________________________________________________
Examples
Example 5.
Logon via Telenet
* wait for line to settle
pause 3
* send baud code or c/r depending on baud rate
if %HOSTBAUD '2400' Send '@~^M~~'
Else Send '^M^M'
* wait for "TERMINAL=" prompt
match 'TERMINAL='
send D1^M
* clear the COM buffer up to where we should be
match 'D1'
* wait for "@" net prompt
match @
send 'C 202202' ^M
* we made it!
*
display
display 'Logon to Telenet successful!'
beep
exit
Example 6.
Demonstrate use of Open, Write, Close
open bulletin.ato 5 input
loop: read 5 text
if %EOF5 EOF then goto done
display text
goto loop
label done
close 5
Page 16 AUTOSIG User's Manual
II. ATOSCR - Script File Processing
______________________________________________________________________________
Examples
Example 7.
DATAPAC logon and reset of PAD parameters for binary transfers
* Begin script. Tell Datapac that this is 1200 baud (note change the
* ".." to a single period "." for 300 baud)
SEND '..^M'
*
* Wait for DATAPAC acknowledgement before continuing
WAIT DATAPAC:
READ
PAUSE 2
*
* Request a direct DATAPAC to CIS connection
SEND 'P 29400138^M'
*
* Wait for CIS Host response
WAIT Name:
SEND 'CIS^M'
*
* Wait for CIS User ID prompt
WAIT ID:
PAUSE 2
*
* Enter DATAPAC command mode by sending ^P to DATAPAC and beginning the
* PAD changes
SEND '^PPROF 1^M'
PAUSE 2
*
* Check the parameters of PROF1
SEND 'PAR^M'
WAIT 126:016
PAUSE 2
*
* Reset the PAD parameters
SEND 'SET?002:001,126:004,003:000,004:004,007:008,020:032,001:000^M'
WAIT 001:000
PAUSE 2
*
* Double check that the PAD was correctly modified
SEND 'PAR^M'
WAIT 126:004
PAUSE 2
*
* Exit DATAPAC command mode and re-enter CIS
SEND '^M'
PAUSE 2
SEND '^M'
BEEP
EXIT
AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 17
II. ATOSCR - Script File Processing
______________________________________________________________________________
Examples
Example 8.
Template for automatic ATO uploading
* Get to forum and DL
logon CIS2400 IBMCOM
send 'DL0'^M
match DL 0 !
* Upload the file
upl c:\test\upl.scr
* Upload the description
match Description
match ):
send 'Template for generating script files to automatically upload'^M
pause 2
send 'files using ATO.'^M
pause 2
send ^M
* Upload the keywords
match Keywords:
send 'ATO TESTING' ^M
match (Y or N)?
send Y^M
beep
display 'Upload is complete!'
Page 18 AUTOSIG User's Manual
II. ATOSCR - Script File Processing
______________________________________________________________________________
Global symbols
Global symbols contain data from the HOST, FORUM, and PC OPTIONS
definitions. The HOST and FORUM variables are read-only. The PC
Options variables may be changed by the SET script command.
The HOST menu symbols have a name of the form '%HOSTname'.
The FORUM menu symbols have a name of the form '%SIGname'.
The PC Options symbols have a name of the form '%PCname'
%HOST variables
From Host options menu, read-only
Symbol name Default value Symbol name Default value
----------- -------------------- ----------- --------------------
NAME host's name PATH default ATO d:\path
PHONE telephone number COM communications port
USERID your user id CONNECT modem connect response
PASSWORD your password DISCON modem disconnect response
ACCOUNT Tymnet host HANGUP modem commands to hang up
CODE RESET modem commands to reset
UPROMPT Userid: prompt RPROMPT1 CIS logon message 1
PPROMPT Passsword: prompt RPROMPT2 CIS logon message 2
BAUD baud rate BULL bulletins file name
MDMCMDS modem commands ANSWER response to CONNECT
PATH file xfer d:\path
%SIG variables
From Forum Options menu, read-only.
Symbol name Default value Symbol name Default value
----------- -------------------- ----------- --------------------
SIGNAME forum name LOG logging option, y/n
PAGE go page STAY stay connected option
HOST host name SENDP send ^P option, y/n
DRIVE default d:\path SECS section numbers list
HMN high message number PPN PPN d:\path\filename
APPEND append option, y/n
AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 19
II. ATOSCR - Script File Processing
______________________________________________________________________________
Global symbols
%PC variables
From PC Options menu, read or write allowed:
Symbol name Default value
----------- ---------------------------------
NORMAL Value of normal display color
HILITE Value of hitlited display color
LINES Number of printed ilnes per page
H Retrace test option, Y or N
K Email KEEP option, Y or N
M Skip RM option, Y or N
C Cls each msg option, Y or N
B Disable keyboard option, Y or N
F Printer formfeed option, Y or N
S Sort QS headers option, Y or N
T Slow screen option, Y or N
Q Quiet alarms option, Y or N
P Send logon ^P option, Y or N
PROMPT Prompt character, e.g. ^G
MOUSE Allow mouse, Y or N
INSERT Default editor insert mode, Y or N
Other global variables
Symbol name Default value
----------- -----------------------------------------
%COM current contents of communications buffer
since the last READ, WAIT, or MATCH
%EOF1 thru %EOF9
the current end-of-file status for OPENed
files. If end-of-file has occurred, the
%EOFn value is the character string EOF.
Page 20 AUTOSIG User's Manual
III. ACLS - Accounting Log Summary
______________________________________________________________________________
Log Files
There is one other set of files created and maintained by AUTOSIG. They
are the AUTOSIG.mmm Log files. The 'mmm' is an abbreviation for the
current month. The Log files contain a record of your time on
Compuserve. There is one record in the file for every access to CIS by
ATO. Each record contains the following:
Date,Baud,Time-on,Time-off,Elapsed-time,Sig-name[flag]
The file can be displayed with the TYPE command, or other text display
programs such as LIST.
The [flag] code indicates the condition in which you exited the SIG. "+"
means that the AUTO option was in use; "*" indicates that you selected
the "Stay Connected" option; no flag means that this was the only SIG
accessed, or that this was the last in a series.
A minus "-" next to the elapsed time field means that you uploaded a
file and you will receive a credit for the time used.
If you are using the multiple SIG feature (the stay connected option)
there is a possibility that the SIG name for each session may be
incorrect depending on what functions are performed. Once you take
control of the program, the log file will charge all online time to the
last SIG you accessed.
If you like to keep detailed records of SIG usage, continue to keep
manual records even if you don't use the multiple SIG feature. There
will always be minor differences in the AUTOSIG.log and your manual
records, so keep this in mind. Also, remember that the log file keeps
records of your time online to the tenth of a minute, while CIS rounds
each logon up to the next minute. This is one reason why AUTOSIG's AUTO
and Stay Connected options can be much more economical, since the CIS
rounding up doesn't take place until you log off.
AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 21
III. ACLS - Accounting Log Summary
______________________________________________________________________________
Running ACLS
There is a companion program to AUTOSIG called ACLS which can be used to
get a report of your CIS activity. ACLS can be run alone or from within
ATO. ACLS offers several ways of reading summaries of your connect
charges.
In ATO, note the dollar sign ($) next to "X" on the main menu. When
you've finished your sessions with AUTOSIG, you can enter "$" instead of
"X" to run the ACLS program rather than exit to DOS. You can also select
this option in the middle of an AUTOSIG session to get a quick
accounting, as ACLS provides the option of returning back to AUTOSIG.
ACLS assumes that the ATO program file is named "ATO.EXE" and not
"AUTOSIG.EXE". You can tell ACLS the actual program name by supplying a
SET parameter for the variable ATO-NAM. For example, if your ATO program
file is called ATOTEST.EXE, you would enter the DOS command:
SET ATO-NAM=ATOTEST.EXE
before running ATO or ACLS. The ATO program file should be in the
current directory, but, if ACLS can not find it, you will be asked to
supply the drive, path, and file name for ATO.EXE.
ACLS requires a file called RATES.ATO. This file contains the
information necessary to compute online charges based on the day of the
week, time of day, and the baud rate used. A sample RATES.ATO file is
provided. Additionally, the communications surcharge, if any, can be
supplied through the SET variable called ATO-CS, for example
SET ATO-CS=0.25
When using ACLS remember that it calculates an approximate cost usually
on the high side.
Page 22 AUTOSIG User's Manual
III. ACLS - Accounting Log Summary
______________________________________________________________________________
Running ACLS
Figure 11. ACLS Accounting Summary
ACLS Selection Menu
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| | Summary Report Option Keys |
| A C L S +--------------------------------------+
| | M Month to date |
| A Usage Log Summary Utility | D Today only |
| for AUTOSIG | O Other month or file |
| | |
| Version 3.09 | R Rates and definitions |
| January 26, 1988 | A Restart AUTOSIG |
| | X Exit to system |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| ATOCREW | Select one >_< |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
______________________________________________________________________________
Figure 12. RATES.ATO sample data
6
6
12.5
12.5
12.5
12.5
.25
.25
08:00:00
18:00:00
______________________________________________________________________________
Figure 13. ACLS Rates and Definitions
Here are the rates currently assumed:
Service 300/450 baud 1200/2400 baud Comm surcharge
-------- ------------ -------------- --------------
Standard $6.00/hr $12.50/hr $0.25/hr
Prime $6.00/hr $12.50/hr $0.25/hr
Prime service: 08:00:00 to 18:00:00, Monday thru Friday.
Standard service: All other times.
AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 23
III. ACLS - Accounting Log Summary
______________________________________________________________________________
Figure 14. ACLS Sample Output
ACLS v3.09 01-26-1988 15:36
AUTOSIG.JAN Since 01-01-1988
Rec 300 Std 300 Prm 1200 Std 1200 Prm 2400 Std 2400 Prm
Forum ord min chg min chg min chg min chg min chg min chg Total
------ --- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- --------
*other 147 45 10.0 24 5.0 15.00
Email 82 49 10.0 35 7.0 17.00
IBMSW 109 89 19.0 137 29.0 48.00
IBMSW- 1 -4 -1.0 -1.00
IBMjr 63 17 4.0 5 1.0 5.00
IbmCom 155 286 61.0 192 41.0 102.00
IbmCom- 20 -46 -10.0 -10.00
IbmHw 99 25 5.0 43 9.0 14.00
IbmNew 97 19 4.0 19 4.0 8.00
------ --- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- --------
Total 773 484 133.0 619 95.0 $198.00
Press ESC to exit, or any other key to continue:
Notes:
The *other values represent connect time that can not
be attributed to a specific Forum due to the rounding
up of connect time to whole minutes.
Page 24 AUTOSIG User's Manual
Appendices
______________________________________________________________________________
Disclaimer
IBM, Tandy, Microsoft, QuickBasic and Compaq are all registered
trademarks. If we missed any our apologies.
This program is, of course, offered as is. We can't guarentee it will
work on every permutation of equipment. We will make an honest effort
to correct and/or add any features that you ask for.
Copying and sharing AUTOSIG.
AUTOSIG is a FREE program available to all for the downloading.
In general there are very few "rules" regarding it's distribution:
o No fee may be charged over and beyond the normal fee for
materials.
o AUTOSIG may not be distributed by commercial companies
engaged in the selling of public domain software.
o AUTOSIG may not be used for commercial ventures. If you're
a company and would like to use AUTOSIG please contact the
authors with your pitch (Easyplex preferred).
o The program may not be distributed without this manual,
please!
AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 25
Appendices
______________________________________________________________________________
Using Virtual Disks
The following code can be used as an AUTOEXEC.BAT file for ATO.EXE when
used in conjunction with RAMDSK or other programs that use RAM and a
phantom drive. In this file, the assumptions are:
o Two floppy disk drives (A & B)
o AUTOSIG.EXE, AUTOSIG.DFN and AUTOSIG.MTH (.JAN, .FEB,
etc.) residenton drive A:
o RAMDSK is part of the CONFIG.SYS file and configured as
drive C:
o A resident clock. If not, replace the REM at line 3 with
'Date'and insert a new line below it: 'Time'
o AUTOSIG.EXE has been renamed ATO.EXE
In the unlikely event of a crash, your .DFN file is preserved. Go to
drive A: and COPY DFN.BKP AUTOSIG.DFN. Otherwise, this file puts all
files into RAMDSK and eliminates any disk-spinning from log on to log
off.
cls
echo off
REM insert screen blanking program here
copy AUTOSIG.DFN c:
erase DFN.bkp
ren AUTOSIG.DFN DFN.bkp
ren AUTOSIG.exe temp.exe
copy AUTOSIG.* c:
ren temp.exe AUTOSIG.exe
copy batch.ato c:
b:
copy *.ato c:
copy *.fil c:
a:
AUTOSIG /p c: /f
REM drive ("c:") above should be one letter higher than your highest
REM "/p" and "/f" are optional flags
b:
erase *.ato
c:
copy AUTOSIG.* a:
copy batch.ato a:
erase AUTOSIG.*
erase batch.ato
copy *.* b:
erase *.fil
erase *.ato
a:|cls
Page 26 AUTOSIG User's Manual
AUTOSIG Advanced Functions Guide Index-1
__________________________________________________________________________
%COM ......................... 7, 9, 10, 14, 15, 20
%EOF ......................... 9
%HOST ........................ 19
%HOST variables .............. 19
%PC .......................... 20
%PC variables ................ 20
%SIG ......................... 19
%SIG variables ............... 19
/X,ATO command line option ... 7
A Add manual entry .......... 4
ACLS ......................... 1, 22, 23, 24
ACLS Selection Menu .......... 23
Alt-I,immediate script ....... 7
Alt-M,invoke ATOPPN .......... 2
Alt-T,execute SCRipt ......... 7
ATO-CS,SET variable .......... 22
ATO-NAM,SET variable ......... 22
ATOPPN ....................... 2, 3, 4, 6
ATOPPN Menu .................. 3
B Switch PPN database file .. 4
C Change current entry ...... 4
Copying and sharing AUTOSIG. . 25
D Delete current entry ...... 4
DATAPAC,script ............... 17
Disclaimer ................... 25
E Erase PPN file ............ 4
ESCape ....................... 2, 3, 7, 10
Example 1. ................... 14
Example 2. ................... 14
Example 3. ................... 15
Example 4. ................... 15
Example 5. ................... 16
Example 6. ................... 16
Example 7. ................... 17
Example 8. ................... 18
F Find name or userid ....... 4
Figure 11. ACLS Accounting Su 23
Figure 12. RATES.ATO sample d 23
Figure 13. ACLS Rates and Def 23
L sort by Last name ......... 5
M Switch message file ....... 5
N sort by Name .............. 5
Other global variables ....... 20
P Put entry to TO: field .... 5
Q Quit, return to ATO ....... 6
R Repeat Find to next ....... 5
RATES.ATO,ACLS file .......... 22, 23
S Sort by userid/ppn ........ 5
Sort ......................... 3, 5, 20
Telenet,script ............... 16
Index-2 AUTOSIG Advanced Functions Guide
__________________________________________________________________________
Tymnet,script ................ 15, 19
U Update file from msgs ..... 6
